Iditarod carries End Polio Now message
Posted by Tony Gilmore
Millions of viewers had an opportunity to see the End Polio Now logo during the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race across the frozen landscape of Alaska, USA
The Iditarod, which ran 7-24 March, commemorates a race against time to deliver diphtheria serum to Nome during an outbreak of the disease in 1925. Through an agreement between the Iditarod Trail Committee and District 5010 , which covers parts of Canada, Russia, and the United States, this year's race built awareness of a similar race to the finish: Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio.
All mushers wore bibs with the End Polio Now logo emblazoned across the bottom. In addition, District 5010 secured a $27,500 PR grant to sponsor four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser, a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow and an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Wasilla Sunrise, who worked with Rotary to produce two public service announcements appearing on television and online.
Buser, who came in 18th in this year's race, displayed the End Polio Now logo prominently on his team's apparel and equipment, and symbolically carried three empty polio vaccine vials on his sled. He will continue to serve as a spokesman for polio eradication throughout the year at other events and appearances.
"The End Polio Now labels all over my sled and race gear were like Teflon -- they stood out above and beyond everything else," he says. "Through miles and miles of blowing snow, the red and white really cut through, and amplified the message.
"It's such a natural fit," Buser says, of using the race to promote polio eradication. "The Iditarod began as a lifesaving race, and End Polio Now is a lifesaving race."
By Arnold R. Grahl
All mushers wore bibs with the End Polio Now logo emblazoned across the bottom. In addition, District 5010 secured a $27,500 PR grant to sponsor four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser, a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow and an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Wasilla Sunrise, who worked with Rotary to produce two public service announcements appearing on television and online.
Buser, who came in 18th in this year's race, displayed the End Polio Now logo prominently on his team's apparel and equipment, and symbolically carried three empty polio vaccine vials on his sled. He will continue to serve as a spokesman for polio eradication throughout the year at other events and appearances.
"The End Polio Now labels all over my sled and race gear were like Teflon -- they stood out above and beyond everything else," he says. "Through miles and miles of blowing snow, the red and white really cut through, and amplified the message.
"It's such a natural fit," Buser says, of using the race to promote polio eradication. "The Iditarod began as a lifesaving race, and End Polio Now is a lifesaving race."
By Arnold R. Grahl