Rotary's Race Across America ("RAAM") team seeks to raise $1,200,000.00 for polio in the annual 3,000 mile bike race! Here is what the RAAM team tells us about what they are doing:
The Race
We have entered a four-person bicycle team in Race Across America (RAAM) (www.raceacrossamerica.org) for 2019…our fourth year in a row. Many Rotarians followed us last year and gave to PolioPlus in support of our effort to eradicate Polio. RAAM is one of the 25 most difficult events in the world and about 30 countries are represented in the race. With 3000 miles distance and over 170,000 feet of climbing (that’s six times Mt. Everest), it is an intense, grueling, and challenging bicycle race. However, it is not as grueling or as challenging as living with polio.
We have entered a four-person bicycle team in Race Across America (RAAM) (www.raceacrossamerica.org) for 2019…our fourth year in a row. Many Rotarians followed us last year and gave to PolioPlus in support of our effort to eradicate Polio. RAAM is one of the 25 most difficult events in the world and about 30 countries are represented in the race. With 3000 miles distance and over 170,000 feet of climbing (that’s six times Mt. Everest), it is an intense, grueling, and challenging bicycle race. However, it is not as grueling or as challenging as living with polio.
The race starts June 15, 2019, in Oceanside, CA and ends in Annapolis, MD hopefully less
than seven days later. Our team name is “Team Rotary RAAMs Polio”. We will be riding around the clock in shifts through 12 states with 55-time stations we have to make. Our team will consist of four racers (cyclists), 12 crew, and four vehicles that will move across the country at 18 to 20 mph.You will be able to follow us and keep up with our progress at:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/RotaryRAAM
- Website: www.raampolio.com
The Challenge
As you know, when Rotary started this campaign there were 127 endemic countries in the world with 350,000 cases per year. Today there are only three countries left and we had 29 CASES in 2018!! Although we only have the three countries left, we still use over 400 million doses of vaccine per year at 60 cents each.
As you know, when Rotary started this campaign there were 127 endemic countries in the world with 350,000 cases per year. Today there are only three countries left and we had 29 CASES in 2018!! Although we only have the three countries left, we still use over 400 million doses of vaccine per year at 60 cents each.
So, here is the CHALLENGE: $1,200,000 for Rotary's PolioPlus Program
Will you help us in the effort? Only 29 kids in 2018! However, that is still 29 children whose lives have been changed for life!!
Contributions can be made at our Rotary International site:
For further information please contact me or visit our website www.raampolio.com
Bob McKenzie
Team Rotary RAAMs Polio
Rotary Club of Manassas
rlyonm@gmail.com
918-694-0480
As I was riding in “Race Across America” Saturday morning June 24th, 2017 at3am in the very cold, hard, driving, miserable rain, I could have easily quit….and then the thought came to mind that kids who contract Polio do not get to quit….they are in for LIFE!!