Polio - Some thoughts from PDG John
In 1587 Sir Francis Drake “singed the beard of the Spanish King” by a pre-emptive strike on two of Spain's main ports, Cadiz and Corunna. During the attack he composed a prayer that began -
“Lord God, when you call your servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same, until it be thoroughly finished, which yields the true glory”
In the next year he thoroughly finished his “great matter” by defeating the Spanish Armada, thereby forever changing the future of Europe.
In 1988 Dr. Albert Sabin, who developed the oral polio vaccine (OPV) that made possible the eradication of polio, addressed the annual Rotary International Convention. He gave great praise to Rotarians for beginning the world-wide campaign to eradicate polio. Then, echoing Drake, he prayed that Rotarians would “continue the same until that which can be done will be done. That is the true glory”
We Rotarians and our many partners have, thru massive sustained efforts, made magnificent progress toward our goal. Yet formidable and expensive challenges remain. To thoroughly finish our “great matter” PolioPlus needs the financial support of all Rotarians – especially right now at this critical, virtually “make-or-break” time.
There’s no better time to contribute than now while the Government of Canada and the Gates Foundation are each matching our contributions so that each $1.00 we give becomes $3.00.
So Rotarians – please - let us all determine to finish the job and keep our Rotary promise to the children of the world that they will never again face the ravages of polio. By doing so we shall thereby gain a “true glory” that will forever change the future of the whole world.
John Williamson, PDG
26 November 2012