Gates Foundation To Fight Polio

The best thing about having lots of money is being able to give it away for philanthropic causes. Bill Gates is a modern day hero and role model in that regard spreading his good fortune to aid causes in need. The billionaire who founded Microsoft Corporation recently donated $255 million this week to fight worldwide polio.

And how fitting this is. It was just 100 years ago that Karl Landsteiner and Erwin Popper discovered the poliovirus. Polio is passed from person to person usually originating from ingesting contaminated water or food. The virus affects motor skills and induces muscle atrophy causing its victims to be disabled and deformed.

Fortunately, a vaccine exists due to the work of Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Since the 1980's, groups like UNICEF, Rotary International and the World Health Organization have made efforts to administer the vaccines that have dramatically decreased the number of cases worldwide.

Polio continues to remain a problem in all but Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India where the Gates Foundation and Rotary International will focus their efforts. The donation will go as a challenge grant to Rotary International who has played an instrumental role in eradicating polio.

It is nice to know that philanthropy is alive and well in the world.