Rotary Clubs Unite for the World’s Largest Polio Walk on World Polio Day
Rotary Clubs Unite for the World’s Largest Polio Walk on World Polio Day
The Rotary International Clubs will unite on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for the World’s Largest Polio Walk, a coordinated initiative bringing together Rotary members, Rotaractors, community organizations, public officials, families, and supporters across multiple communities.
Held in recognition on October 24, World Polio Day, the walk will raise awareness of the continuing effort to eradicate polio and financial support for Rotary’s PolioPlus program. Participating Rotary districts and clubs throughout Zones 25B and 29 will host local walks and related activities, creating a visible demonstration of Rotary’s collective commitment to a polio-free world.
Event Details
● Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
● Time: 10:00am
● Location: Multiple locations across the Chicago area including Navy Pier
Through the World’s Largest Polio Walk, Rotary members and our community partners are demonstrating that we remain united in our commitment to globally eradicate polio. “Every step we take, every person we engage, and every dollar we raise moves us closer to a world in which no child will ever again experience the devastating effects of polio.”
Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have helped reduce polio cases worldwide by 99.9 percent. However, wild poliovirus remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and continued vaccination, disease surveillance, public education, and financial investment are essential to protect children everywhere. Until polio is eradicated throughout the world, its continued presence anywhere remains a threat to children everywhere.
Contributions to Rotary’s polio eradication efforts are matched two-to-one by the Gates Foundation, tripling the impact of every donation. Funds raised through the walk will support vaccinations, trained health workers, laboratory networks, disease surveillance, and other activities necessary to interrupt transmission and sustain progress toward eradication.
The World’s Largest Polio Walk also offers an opportunity for schools, faith communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, healthcare professionals, polio survivors, and community residents to become part of one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in history.
Participants are encouraged to wear red or official End Polio Now apparel, organize teams, invite family and friends, and share their participation on social media using #WorldsLargestPolioWalk, #EndPolioNow, and #WorldPolioDay.
To register, donate, sponsor the event, or learn more about the World’s Largest Polio Walk, visit https://rotary6450.org/2021-polio-plus-society/ or contact Eve Green at doulaeve@gmail.com with EPN in the subject line.
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