May 16, 2018 The Delta Optimist A13
Community
Rotary invites public to a screening of Breathe
Breathe is a true story about a couple who must overcome incredible odds just to regain the semblance of a normal life together after one of them contracts polio. The public is invited by the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen to a private screening on Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at the KinVillage Community Centre. Cost is by donation to the Rotary Foundation (Canada) as Rotary continues to work with the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control to eradicate polio. There will also be a short talk from a polio survivor. While polio has disappeared from the Western world, there are still children being crippled and paralyzed by the disease. Highly-infectious, it mainly affects children under five years old. For about one in 200 who contract the ailment, it will lead to paralysis and for about 20
per cent of them, an early death. Anyone who was alive in the 1940s, ‘50s or ‘60s will remember houses being quarantined, public spaces closed and images of youngsters living out their days inside “iron lungs” because they could no longer breathe on their own. Vaccines were developed in 1955 and 1961 which were hailed as a miracle in the battle against polio, but vaccines could only prevent polio, they couldn’t cure
it. Two years later, Rotary launched an effort to immunize six million children in the Philippines and eradicate polio from that country. At that time there were over 350,000 cases per year in 125 countries. In 1985, Rotary International, working with the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control, made the eradication of polio its number one humanitarian priority and launched the PolioPlus campaign. During the polio campaign Rotary and its partners have vaccinated over 2.7 billion children, and every year over 400 million children in 70 countries are vaccinated in national campaigns. In 2017, there were only 22 confirmed cases in two countries — Pakistan and Afghanistan. These last bastions of the polio virus are in the most inaccessible and dangerous places to reach.
IT’S BACK! Saturday, June 16
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK Mayor Lois E. Jackson and Delta Council would like to recognize the dedication and efforts of all the members of the Delta Police Department. We are fortunate to have such a committed group of police officers protecting and serving our community.
Join us on Wednesdays!
5000 Canoe Pass Way Tsawwassen
Starts at 11:00 am Karts race down the 6th Ave hill
NEW THIS YEAR! Friday Night Show ‘n Shine presented by the Delta Police Foundation
June 15 in the parking lot at Save-On-Foods Tsawwassen Come down and check out the creativity used by the kart builders.
You can still join the fun!
There are a few spots still available. To sponsor a kart or for more information email maggiedorf@gmail.com
Maximum 2 free kids meals per adult entrée purchased. Valid on entrees from the kids menu. Additional charge for beverage or higher priced items may apply.