WORLD POLIO DAY WITH PDG PAT CHERNESKY & GILDA TRELEAVEN-GRAHAM!
President Al Hoeft gonged the Rotary bell and welcomed the gathered masses at the Delta, Rotarians who joined the meeting by ZOOM, with a special acknowledgement of the special Rotary District leadership visitors Peter Tonge and Fred Wright. After sharing the Club's Land Acknowledgement statement, President Al led in the singing of our National Anthem, called on Peter Neufeldt to share in a daily Blessing, and directed the pathway to the luncheon buffet.
Following the meal President Al calmed the room conversation, invited Ann Grahame to share today's wisdom, identified members having October Birthdays and Rotary Anniversaries and introduced Guest Speaker, PDG Pat Chernesky. Pat a 'retired' family physician in Nipawin, Saskatchewan serves as District 5550's Director of the Rotary's PolioPlus program, a role she has filled for years.
Supported by video and power point technology (and support of President Al's technical skills) Pat introduced us to the polio virus and the history of its eradication efforts. An effort which began as a dream in the late 1970's and altered its world-wide impact of 1000 daily cases of documented infantile paralysis in 1988, to the 58 polio cases diagnosed in the first 9 1/2 months of 2024. The course of this disease, which in 1988 was endemic in 124 countries to its eradication in all countries with the exception of two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. However Pat was quick to remind us that if "Polio is identified anywhere, it is a threat everywhere".
Pat reminded us of important established mile stones in the eradication process, for example there were 3 types of polio, and 2 have been eradicated through the collective effort and focus of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). This effort was Initiated by Rotary International in 1985, in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. These 4 agencies attracted others including the financial support and encouragement of the Gates Foundation 2 to 1 match which provides a key financial incentive for Rotarian and Rotary Foundation support. Also governments around the world, including Canada's consistent and continued support is critical in maintaining the eradication effort. PDG Pat reminded us that Canada was declared polio free in 1994, where the last case of polio was recorded in 1970.
In her concluding remarks Pat drew our attention to the fact that because of polio eradication dream of 1970's, there are 20 million people in the world walking today polio free - let us 'stay the course' by fund raising, advocating for polio eradication and giving to the cause. A polio free world is just so close!
Thank you Pat for reminding us where we were, where we are,
and where we're going.
Our World Polio Day's second presenter was the Rotary Club of Regina's Gilda Treleaven-Graham, who shared her personal 'walk" with polio. Gilda reminded us that polio is caused by a virus which can lead to paralysis and can lead to many problems and she knows of what she speaks. In 1954, at the age of 17 and soon to graduate from high school in Nipawin, on her way to becoming a gifted and learned pianist, the fear and dread of polio struck the community. Two neighbourhood friends were destined to spend time in iron lungs in Saskatoon. Gilda suffered left side paralysis that impacted her life at the time, and she now lives with 'post-polio' symptoms on a daily basis. For example, Gilda indicated she is often fatigued, her hands and feet are cold, and she has a heightened sensitivity to anaesthetics. One support she acknowledged was the Regina polio survivors group.
Thank you, Gilda, for your courage in
'stepping' out and sharing your 80 year walk with polio.
You added important perspective to our World Polio Day conversation.
END POLIO NOW
OCTOBER- ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MONTH
On this World Polio Day one might come to realize this event well into Rotary’s identifying October as Economic and Community Development Month. The work of Rotary begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns, but we also rally as a worldwide community to address challenges which address each local and isolated community. It is that
'community' focus which brought forces into Gaza in September 2024 and now again in October. This, in response to an identified case of polio. While Rotarians serve in countless ways, we’ve focused our efforts in seven key areas to maximize our impact, mindful that there is an interconnectedness in these stand-alone focus areas. These areas encompass some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian needs. When planning new service projects Rotary members are encouraged to consider these areas and the many opportunities for innovative projects within them. Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation have adopted these seven areas of focus as organizational priorities and consider what has been accomplished as we plan our future strategies.
Type caption here
The Family of Rotary
President Al drew attention to October Birthdays and extended greetings to Ralph Goodale who celebrated on 5th, Charles Sadzamare did something similar on the 7th, and Richard Schwan danced on the 11th. On the 16th Hans Gaastra blew out a bunch of candles, Allen Hillsden waited until the 20th to do something similar although he did not need to take in as big a breath, and lastly Gilda Treleaven-Graham came to Rotary to celebrate her Birthday amidst this gathered group as we "serenaded" this fine group with a melodious "Happy Birthday to you" - CONGRATULATIONS ALL
;President Al noted Gail Bradley joined Regina Eastview in 1999 and has provided 25 years of service through Rotary - Thank You, Gail.
Happy Birthday, Charles
(File Photo - from a meeting months ago when Charles was younger)
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Great fellowship and conversation around the tables;
Surprise visit from Peter Tonge and his High Ranking Chauffer, PDG Fred, who just having 'breakfasted' with the Saskatoon Rotary Clubs and because they were driving through Regina, timed it so we could appreciate our 2nd visit from the District Governor and a revisit from PDG Fred;
It was a PDG Day, thank you all for making it so.
Hope to see many of you at the Delta on November 4th - enjoy our passing autumn.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE ROTOR
Subscribe to our eBulletin and stay up to date on the latest news and events.
“It takes so much more courage to be kind than to be cruel.”
Louise Penny (Author)
Today's guests
Today we were pleased to welcome Visiting Rotarians DG Peter Tonge (RC of Winnipeg Charleswood), PDG Fred Wright (RC of Kenora) and PDG Pat Chernesky who joined us via ZOOM and is our Guest Speaker - an honour to have current and former DGs at this special World Polio Day meeting. We were also honored to welcome Ann Grahame's guest, Donna Standingready, who is exploring membership in Rotary. Thank you for helping make this a great Rotary day.
.png)
