Rotary International and its partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, has reduced polio cases by 99 percent worldwide since its first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
Rotary is close to eradicating polio. A portion of the Ride proceeds will be donated to make a global impact and protect children against polio forever. For as little as $0.60, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. In addition, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches every dollar that is raised through Rotary Charities to eradicate polio.