The much-anticipated polio history video spearheaded by the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club made its debut Saturday at the District 7190 Annual Conference in Lake George.

The informational video is a cooperative venture involving the SRC; technical staff production work from the Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA), also known as the Center for School Improvement at the UAlbany School of Education; the UAlbany School of Public Health, and District 7190.

The project was an outgrowth of discussion held after a “World Polio Day” live-streaming event hosted by the School of Public Health. District Governor John Mucha, in introducing the video to a full house attending the session, said, “SRC Rotary was really the striving force behind this.”

Because many people, younger ones in particular, have not lived through polio epidemics and scares that once were commonplace until Rotary International stepped in to help lead the global effort to eradicate the disease, it was felt that an educational video would help explain the ongoing need for vigilance and funding of the effort since polio cannot be cured but can be prevented.

Dr. Martha J. Lepow of Albany Medical Center, who has had a lengthy practice in pediatric infectious diseases, had volunteered to talk about polio with Rotary club audiences, but it was thought that a video presentation that could be widely disseminated would be more efficient. SRC;s Dr. Jim Leyhane interviewed her on-camera as part of the video.

After the video was shown, our club member, Martha and the School of Public Heath were given “District Governor Emmys,” and Jim posed for the statue. Martha also was award a Paul Harris Fellows certificate, and given an “End Polio Now” fleece jacket. Jim and Dr. Roberto Martinez accepted the club’s award.

Also attending the conference were SRC President Debbie Rodriguez and Secretary Pat Bailey, as well as Ella Leal Cancio, our Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil who was recognized along with other exchange students from throughout the District,

Displays and discussion topics also included ShelterBox, Gift of Life, and PolioPlus. Keynote speaker Mitty Chang’s topic was “Attracting the Future of Rotary.”

Thanks to Roberto Martinez for providing these notes and the following images:

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