Chief-of-Staff Speaks at All Clubs Luncheon

Devin Thorpe, D5420’s chief-of-staff, a Forbes magazine contributor and “a champion for social good,” shared his experiences in helping to eradicate polio in India and Pakistan at an All Clubs Luncheon at the Abbey Inn.  Before Rotarians and several visitors, Devin announced 19 new cases of polio to date in 2016  IN THE WORLD.  “We MAY have already seen the last case of polio EVER,” said Devin, “and an official end to this life-threatening disease which has plagued mankind’s children for generations!”

To finish this project – and any other project in the world - Devin reminded members of SGR, Dixie Sunrise, Red Rock, Zion Canyon and Hurricane Valley Rotary clubs to, “keep shoveling, build momentum and support and create an effective end game stategy.”

“India didn’t believe they could eradicate polio,” Devin said, “but in the long run their belief in their ability to succeed was less important than for them to keep shoveling.”  Around the world there are millions of paid individuals working to eradicate polio in countries like Pakistan, “which in some cases, require as many as 8 vaccine’s before it ‘takes’.” 

Rotary has partnered with some really smart people, but Rotary is leading the way!  However, the eradication of this disease has a $1.5 billion price tag, with $35 million coming for the world’s Rotarians … the balance provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and world governments.  “Rotary needs a lot of help, so if we share the work, we must also share the credit!”

Although there has been a 99.9% reduction in the number of polio cases in the world, to accomplish “our end game every child on the planet must be immunized in the next 3 years, so we must continue to amass our war chest … and we are already a year behind!”

The key-takeaway from today’s meeting, according to Devin is “if we can end polio … what else can we do?  So, let’s start imagining a world without malaria, poverty, and a world where every child gets a decent education!”