|
Editor: Fred Baranowski
It’s been said many times that some of our best programs come from our own members. Dr. Richard Coutts extended that tradition today with an outstanding update on Rotary International’s Polio Plus program.
With District Governor Pam Russell in attendance, President Stan started the meeting by thanking the more than 60 members who enjoyed last Saturday’s walk at Mission Bay. Texas Longhorn Jennifer Perkins asked us to act more like the measured tortoise than the frenzied hare during these difficult economic times, and Suzy Spafford accompanied Bill Dick’s song stylings. Newsman Bert Wahlen reported on Banking, Bailouts, Biden and Bumps on Wall Street.
Nancy Laturno-Bojanic brought us the students from Muir High and Peg Eddy introduced us to personalized eldercare specialist Sheila Korn. Steve Hubbard announced the start of the Holiday Program chorus practices and asked for legacy volunteers age five and above.
The Women Who Mean Business Awards were dominated by Club 33 honorees, and they made us proud with their achievements. Past Pres Craig Evanco welcomed seven new Club 33 Fellows: Jack Carpenter, Jan Driscoll, Rodney Moll, John Morrell, Frank Pavel, Jr., Gene Sapper and Jean Young . Congratulations on your philanthropy!
Amnon Ben-Yehuda introduced Interactors from San Diego and Hoover High Schools who selected Don’t Wait-Vaccinate for their community service project. Cheryl Wilson requested donations to the Senior Clothing Drive at next week’s meeting. It’s warm now, but it’ll be cold soon, so please help.
President Stan put on his fining hat, nailing Jan Cetti for her press profile, Rick McElvain for promoting a firm providing fun So Cal flight destinations, and Maureen Gray for a recent cover story. Showtime!
Chair of the Day Dr. Lisa Miller welcomed our solo visitor from Mission Valley and offered diet and exercise aids in lieu of a plaster cast. She then warmly introduced Dr. Richard Coutts, schooled at SDSU, UCLA, Ohio State (all having tough football seasons), who practiced 37 years, specializing in hip/knee replacements.
You could tell Dr. Coutts was passionate. He described polio in medical terms as a virus that destroys cells in the nervous system, leading to paralysis. First identified in 1908, this scourge attacks children under 3 years of age, who exhibit no sign of illness until the disease has spread to the blood stream and the spinal cord.
Spread only by humans, polio reached its peak in the late 40’s and early 50’s, causing hysteria and closures of swimming pools and theatres, widely thought to be sources of contamination. After 57,000 cases were diagnosed in 1952, Drs. Salk and Sabin developed the injectible and oral vaccines, and new cases dropped 90% in the U.S.
In 1985 Rotary International embraced a ‘Polio-Free World’ and launched the Polio Plus campaign. RI announced a $120 million goal and instead raised over $220 million by 1988. By 1994 the Western Hemisphere had eradicated the dreaded disease, and today only 4 countries (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria) have traces of the illness. But with 100 million babies born on this planet annually, the fight must go on, and President Stan asked that we continue to fund the effort with our donations.
URL to Polio Plus Pledge Form:
http://clubweb.rotary33.org/pdf/news71.pdf
Photos by Paul Nestor and Bruce Hunt
| 
