Rotary's Top Priority: Eradicating Polio Worldwide

Rotary celebrates 121 years since its founding and marks progress in the global fight against polio.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 5:03am

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Rotary International is celebrating its 121st anniversary on February 23, 2026, with a continued focus on its top priority: the global eradication of polio. The organization reports zero cases of wild poliovirus so far in 2026, down from one case at this time last year, and only 44 total cases in 2025. Rotary's Purple Pinkie Project, which raises funds for polio vaccination, is partnering with Dunkin' Donuts for a special fundraising event on April 28.

Why it matters

Rotary has been at the forefront of the global effort to eradicate polio for decades, working alongside the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Achieving worldwide polio eradication would be a historic public health milestone, eliminating a debilitating disease that primarily affects children.

The details

In 1954, the first mass vaccination of children against polio began in Pittsburgh, PA. While Rotary clubs serve their local communities in many ways, the organization has always prioritized the global eradication of polio. Rotary's latest report shows zero cases of wild poliovirus so far in 2026, down from one case at this time last year, and only 44 total cases in 2025 - 31 in Pakistan and 13 in Afghanistan. The Purple Pinkie Project, a Rotary initiative that raises funds for polio vaccination, is partnering with Dunkin' Donuts for a special fundraising event on April 28 where customers can purchase a dozen 'Purple Pinkie Donuts' for $25.

  • Rotary was founded on February 23, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois.
  • The first mass vaccination of children against polio began in Pittsburgh, PA in 1954.
  • As of February 10, 2026, there have been 0 cases of wild poliovirus reported so far in 2026.
  • In 2025, there were a total of 44 cases of wild poliovirus - 31 in Pakistan and 13 in Afghanistan.
  • The last confirmed case of wild poliovirus anywhere in the world occurred on December 14, 2025 in Pakistan.

The players

Rotary International

A global network of community volunteers who work to address issues like polio eradication, promoting peace, providing clean water, supporting education, and growing local economies.

Paul Harris

The founder of Rotary International, who established the first Rotary club in Chicago in 1905.

Dunkin' Donuts

A major American coffee and donut company that has partnered with Rotary International for the 'Purple Pinkie Donut' fundraiser to support polio vaccination efforts.

Rameen Alborz

An eighth-grade student from Maryville who will be the featured speaker at a Rotary luncheon event on February 27.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Join us at the Bearden Rotary Club this Friday, February 27, at Bearden Banquet Hall, for a noon luncheon with this week's special speaker, Rameen Alborz, an eighth-grade student from Maryville who reached the national competition on National History Day with his documentary on the Manhattan Project.

The takeaway

Rotary's unwavering commitment to eradicating polio worldwide is a testament to the organization's ability to drive lasting global change through grassroots community action. The progress made so far, with zero wild poliovirus cases reported in 2026, brings us closer than ever to achieving this historic public health milestone.