Global Citizens around the world have rallied to eradicate polio. Over 40,000 supporters have signed our petition asking world leaders to increase funding for polio eradication. Your voices have been heard.

This morning Mike Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, made a $100 million commitment toward polio eradication. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ commitment will be used to help fund the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s strategic plan for polio eradication.  

In a statement this morning Mayor Bloomberg explained, “It’s unthinkable that polio still exists in the world when we have the tools and technology to protect children from this preventable, debilitating disease. Now is the time to invest in making polio history.” 

Mayor Bloomberg said that he was, “thrilled to join the Gates Foundation and other partners in the effort to end this disease once and for all.” The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a major donor to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. “Mayor Bloomberg’s commitment is a key development in helping to ensure that all children are protected from this and other vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Gates.  

Polio has been eradicated by 99.9%. Thanks to global collaboration between public and private organizations, governments and local communities, polio cases have been reduced from more than 350,000 in 1988 to 223 in 2012. There have been only 5 polio cases thus far in 2013. 

After 50,000 supporters gathered in Central Park to shine a spotlight on polio and other issues our leaders recognized that they could no longer stay silent on the issues of extreme poverty.

The end of polio is in sight. Share this image on Facebook to help spread the word. 

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Mayor Bloomberg commits $100 million to help end polio