Social media was absolutely buzzing around the world – here are our highlights!
Rotary goes live to the world
One of the highlights of World Polio Day is always Rotary’s worldwide live stream event.
This year came live from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation HQ in Seattle, with over 100,000 people around the world tuning in.
Planting in the park
Closer to home, Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland marked our success to date with an exciting event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
We were joined by polio Ambassadors Ade Adepitan, Konnie Huq and Julia Roberts and waves of volunteers to plant 50,000 crocus bulbs which will bring a splash of purple to the park next spring.
As well as an insightful Q&A with polio survivors Ade and Julia, the day came to a close by illuminating the park’s fountains in purple light.
We have arrived at @noordinarypark celebrating #WorldPolioDay! We’re planting 50,000 crocus bulbs and illuminating the fountains purple. pic.twitter.com/n56cY0m8Nj
— Rotary GB & Ireland (@RotaryGBI) October 24, 2017
Great to have @AdeAdepitan, @JuliaRobertsTV and @Konnie_Huq helping us plant the final of our 50,000 crocus bulbs. #worldpolioday #endpolio pic.twitter.com/e8o4NQy9tT
— Rotary GB & Ireland (@RotaryGBI) October 24, 2017
The crocus plant is underway! Rotary members and volunteers on the banks of the Olympic Park planting 50,000 bulbs. #worldpolioday #endpolio pic.twitter.com/qX0eYLecLg
— Rotary GB & Ireland (@RotaryGBI) October 24, 2017
A splash of #purple4polio to end our #WorldPolioDay celebrations at @noordinarypark! #EndPolio pic.twitter.com/YcG1araCVm
— Rotary GB & Ireland (@RotaryGBI) October 24, 2017
A breath of fresh air
An inspirational true story of polio, paralysis and love without limits is hitting the big screens this month.
Breathe follows the story of Robin Cavendish, who was struck down with the disease in the 1950s. The cast and crew, including stars Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, as well as Director Andy Serkis and Producer Jonathan Cavendish, all shared messages of support for Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.
Garfield also acknowledged Rotary is “doing great things” during an interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.
Polio didn't stop Robin Cavendish but together we can #endpolio. Learn more at https://t.co/wKa4P6UpAN @breathemov #worldpolioday
— Andy Serkis (@andyserkis) October 25, 2017
Actor Andrew Garfield on his British polio survivor film #Breathe. A reminder that #WorldPolioDay is Tuesday 24th October #EndPolio pic.twitter.com/SQaLSCTb1O
— The Andrew Marr Show (@MarrShow) October 22, 2017
Paralyzed by polio at 28, Robin Cavendish & his wife Diana devoted their lives to helping others. See #Breathe now. #endpolio #NowPlaying pic.twitter.com/5leLOQj5Yf
— EndPolioNow (@EndPolioNow) October 24, 2017
Shooting hoops
A number of MPs donned their Rotary End Polio Now jerseys in a special, one off wheelchair basketball game with Ade Adepetan along with Global Citizen and One Last Push.
Politicians also took to social media to praise the work of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in working to reduce cases of polio worldwide by 99.9%.
Watch as @AdeAdepitan and @Baronessjenkin prepare for a #WorldPolioDay wheelchair basketball game! pic.twitter.com/grwhlRPwXA
— EndPolioNow (@EndPolioNow) October 23, 2017
Our international aid budget has led the fight to #EndPolio. Incredible to see MPs out to support it this #WorldPolioDay! pic.twitter.com/prUMxPGMaK
— Global Citizen UK (@GlblCtznUK) October 24, 2017
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative formed in 1988 has helped reduce polio by 99.9% & will continue to work to #EndPolio. #WorldPolioDay pic.twitter.com/dDjsNjwDat
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 24, 2017
A huge thank you to @Rotary for their generosity and unwavering support. Together we can #EndPolio. #WorldPolioDay pic.twitter.com/wLbVVWOwan
— DFID (@DFID_UK) October 24, 2017
Celebrity polio ambassadors and supporters
Thanks to a number of celebrity ambassadors and supports, Rotary and our partners have been able to spread the message of polio eradication around the world.
I know first-hand no child should suffer from a disease like polio. Today is #WorldPolioDay, @RotaryGBI https://t.co/wyufNdfIZ6. #endpolio
— Ade Adepitan (@AdeAdepitan) October 24, 2017
A little knowledge goes a long way, I teamed up w/ @gatesfoundation & @Rotary to learn more #endpolio #WorldPolioDay https://t.co/qj66VK0Rju pic.twitter.com/1R7imZ0CiB
— John Cena (@JohnCena) October 24, 2017
Some @RotaryGBI volunteers planting 50,000 purple crocus on River Lee banks at Queen Elizabeth Park #worldpolioday pic.twitter.com/IBDkNhBqcR
— Julia Roberts (@JuliaRobertsTV) October 24, 2017
Today, on #WorldPolioDay, we stand together and recommit to ending this disease for good. You can too: visit https://t.co/TEpHj80d8o
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) October 24, 2017
Perfect partners
Of course, Rotary could not have achieved what it has without the support and collaboration with our partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative – UNICEF, World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Every country and every child are at risk until polio is eradicated.
Let's #EndPolio for good.#WorldPolioDay pic.twitter.com/hJdZOI0qUX
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) October 24, 2017
Anytime a child is paralysed by polio in any country, WHO & partners are ready to act. This is how we respond to a polio outbreak.#EndPolio pic.twitter.com/ZZFFA2d1is
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 24, 2017
Have you ever wondered what it takes to immunize millions of children in only a few days? We’re working hard to #endpolio! pic.twitter.com/Rtjiyg9iyn
— CDC Global Health (@CDCGlobal) October 24, 2017
We increased our 2-to-1 match of @Rotary contributions up to $50 million over the next 3 years! Get triple-matched: https://t.co/IdA0awxqNp pic.twitter.com/EjWLvYMuML
— Gates Foundation (@gatesfoundation) October 24, 2017
