General News
9 July, 2023
Fight to end polio
AMERICAN pilots John Ockenfels and Peter Teahan landed in Cairns this week as part of their End Polio Now awareness journey around the globe, successfully fundraising over $6000 for polio vaccines with the help of Rotary Clubs of Cairns.
The total of $6200 raised in Cairns on July 4 will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, taking the funds up to $12,433, resulting in 88,813 polio vaccines that will be sent to countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio is still endemic.
Mr Ockenfels and Mr Teahan have been travelling the globe since May in their single-engine aircraft, intending to visit 39 cities in 21 different countries in 90 days to fundraise $1 million – a goal that has already been achieved – to eradicate polio once and for all.
Their stop in Cairns proved highly successful, with 80 people at the fundraiser party on Tuesday night at the Skytek hangar and 14 key sponsors and donors like Cairns Airport, Skytek, Hilton Cairns and more.
“The event in Cairns was outstanding, and it’s one of the top ones we’ve had so far,” Mr Ockenfels said. “For a city of this size in a country that doesn’t have a focus on polio eradication, it was a great result.
“Mankind has only eradicated one disease in history – smallpox – and I believe polio will be the second.”
Cairns North resident and polio survivor Susanne Rea was one of the key speakers of the night. Ms Rea was diagnosed at the age of four in England before vaccines were available and struggles until this day with the aftermath of the illness.
“While the virus is living, all children worldwide are at risk,” Ms Rea said.
“People can travel without knowing they have polio in their gut, and then another outbreak can happen.
“So it was humbling that so many people in Cairns believe that we must eliminate this virus, and by their contribution, they have helped, so it’s a very significant achievement.”
Rotary Clubs of Cairns spokeswoman Rita Zappulla thanked the Cairns community for supporting the fight against polio.
“Big thanks, Cairns, for making us proud. The funds will allow us to provide 88,000 polio vaccines to third world countries,” she said.
Mr Ockenfels and Mr Teahan will now fly to Toowoomba .
