Take a walk Saturday – an anti-polio walk

ROCK FALLS – The Walk to End Polio Now, organized by the Rotary clubs of Dixon, Rock Falls, Sterling Noon and Twin Cities Sunrise, will be at 9 a.m. today at Centennial Park, 510 E. 11th St.

According to a news release, since Rotary launched its Global Polio Eradication Initiative more than 30 years ago, the number of cases have decreased 99.9 percent. Only 37 cases were reported in 2016. Having contributed more than $1.7 billion toward polio eradication since 1985, Rotary has committed to raise $50 million per year over the next 3 years. Monies will be matched two-to-one by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

An iron lung will be on display from 8 a.m. to noon at Larson Shelter. The iron lung was used in America during the latter 20th century to keep polio victims alive; only a few machines are in use today. The public is welcome to view it, read the background and ask questions.

End Polio Now T-shirts are available for $20 while supplies last. Monetary donations also will be accepted.

Registration for the walk is at 8:15 a.m., and the walk begins at 9 at the Larson Shelter. The route goes along the Hennepin Canal and over the Rock River, returning to the start point.

Go to endpolio.org for more information.