Rotary Club of Simi Valley Member Anil Garg

Receives Rotary International Service Award

Prestigious honor in recognition of his commitment for a Polio-Free World

 

(Simi Valley, CA) October 9, 2012 -- Anil Garg, a member of the Rotary Club of Simi Valley was honored with the Rotary International Service Award for a Polio-Free World on September 30, 2012, during the Rotary District 5240 Conference. This award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to Rotary’s efforts to eradicate the crippling disease polio. Rotary International gives out only ten of these prestigious awards each year.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition, but there is still tremendous work to be done. Although polio is 99% eliminated, the final 1% is the most difficult.  We must continue our efforts so that all children are protected against this devastating disease,” said Anil Garg. “Our club is extremely proud of Anil and his commitment and dedication to eradicating polio. He truly represents what Rotary stands for,” said Tonie Valdez, president of the Rotary Club of Simi Valley.

Rotary made polio eradication its top priority in 1985 and in 1988 helped launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. As the original private sector contributor and volunteer arm of this global partnership, Rotary has contributed more than $1 billion and countless volunteer hours to the effort. A highly infectious disease, polio can cause paralysis and sometimes death. As there is no cure, the best protection is prevention. For as little as US .60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against polio for life. Garg has volunteered and lead a record 12 NID (National Immunization Day) trips to India and Nigeria.  

Since the 1988 launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the number of polio cases has been reduced from 350,000 annually, to fewer than 700 cases in 2011. Only Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria remain polio-endemic, although other countries remain at risk for imported cases genetically traced to the endemic countries. 

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. It is comprised of 1.2 million members working in more than 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic regions. Rotary members initiate community projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, such as violence, AIDS, hunger, the environment and clean water. Besides raising and contributing funds, Rotary’s 1.2 million volunteers have donated their time and personal resources. Members of the Rotary Club of Simi Valley logged 8500 volunteer hours over the last year.

The Rotary Club of Simi Valley meets every Tuesday at noon at the Cultural Arts Center. For more information visit the website at www.simivalleyrotary.org

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