PROTECT EVERY CHILD: Film Screening and Panel

PROTECT EVERY CHILD: Film Screening and Panel

Rotary will screen two documentaries and host a panel discussion on protecting children from preventable diseases at home and abroad

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (January 7, 2015) -- Once an American parent's worst nightmare until effective vaccines were developed in the 1950s, polio - a virus still paralyzing children in parts of the world today - is on the verge of global eradication. Yet, until completely gone, all unvaccinated children remain at risk. As parents in California are increasingly opting out of vaccinating their kindergartners, children are now contracting a number of preventable diseases, including more than 9,000 infected with pertussis in 2014.

To help raise awareness of what is being done to tackle these public health threats, Rotary will screen two documentary films and host a panel discussion with local and global public health experts. Invisible Threat produced by Carlsbad High School students explores the immune system in relation to the debate on vaccine safety in the United States; and The Final Punch covers the current effort to eradicate polio - highlighting the challenges in Pakistan. The panel will include:

WHO: Dr. Peter Salk, Vice President and Scientific Director, Jonas Salk Foundation
Dr. HamidJafari, Director of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, World Health Organization
Dr. Eric McDonald, Deputy Public Health Officer, County of San Diego
LisaPosard, producer of the film, Invisible Threat

WHEN:Thursday, January 15, 2015
6:30 p.m. - Reception
7:00-9:30 p.m. - Film screening/Panel discussion

WHERE: Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego
The Rotunda - 5998 Alcalá Park - (West Entrance to USD campus)
San Diego, CA

Registration: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/protect-every-child-film-screening-and-panel-tickets-15036978006

CONTACT: Chanele Williams, (847)-866-3466 or chanele.williams@rotary.org

ABOUT ROTARY: Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Jan. 7, 2015/

SOURCE Rotary International

Rotary International

Web Site: http://www.rotary.org


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