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Businessman Leads Drive To Erase Polio

Businessman Leads Drive To Erase Polio image
Parent Issue
Day
2
Month
February
Year
1998
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
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Businessman leads drive to erase polio

By EMMA JACKSON

NEWS SPECIAL WRITER

It’s done in an instant, painlessly. Polio vaccination in this country is simple, commonplace and required. But in many countries, the disease still leaves its distinct scars on young lives.

Businessman John Barfield Sr. wants to put an end to the suffering, and he's counting on the community to help him in the fight.

“I remember in the mid-1950s, when everyone in this country was so afraid of polio. Children were kept away from crowds and beaches,” he recalls.

He says while in our country the disease seems far removed, it’s still very real in other nations.

“As I’ve traveled around the world, I was appalled by the children crippled and scarred by polio,” he said.

Barfield rallied the support of his fellow Ypsilanti Rotarians in a campaign to raise $360,000 over three years — enough money to immunize 1 million children in underdeveloped countries.

Rotary International wants to eradicate polio in the world by the year 2000. Rotary is part of a joint effort also involving the World Health Organization, UNICEF and other health agencies to eliminate the disease estimated to affect 10-20 million people.

Barfield, an Ann Arbor resident who is now chairman of Bartech Group in Livonia and has his business roots in Ypsilanti, says Rotary Clubs have contributed toward the fundraising effort, which began two years ago.

He says contributions also have come from private foundations. To date, $130,000 has been collected.

Barfield's other community affiliations reflect his interest in children. He is co-chairman of the United Negro College Fund of Washtenaw County and chairs the endowment fund for Spaulding for Children, an organization that helps to place older children in adoptive homes.

Barfield would like to wrap up the Rotary’s polio immunization effort early to present a check at the International Rotary Convention this summer in Indiana. He’s approaching major foundations for funding but also seeking local donations.

Barfield says any contribution is significant - it only takes 36 cents to immunize one child - and allows for children and adults to join in the campaign.

“I invite the community, schools and churches to take part in this effort. It takes so little to save a child, $1 can save three children from polio,” says Barfield. “If everyone helps just a little, we can accomplish this very humane goal.”

THE CAUSE

Local goal: Raise $360,000 to immunize children worldwide against polio.

How to help: Contributions can be mailed to: The Ypsilanti Rotary Club, P.O. Box 980394, Ypsilanti, Ml 48198. Checks should be made payable to the Rotary Foundation Polio Pius Program.

'I invite the community, schools and churches to take part in this effort. It takes so little to save a child, $1 can save three children from polio'

— John Barfield