Mothers' March on Polio

Mothers' March on Polio was a significant public health campaign in the United States, primarily during the 1950s, aimed at raising funds and awareness to combat polio, a debilitating disease that affected thousands of children and adults. The campaign was a hallmark of community involvement and public health advocacy, demonstrating the power of grassroots movements in addressing health crises.

Background

Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Before the development of effective vaccines, outbreaks of polio caused paralysis and death in many parts of the world. The disease primarily affected children, leading to widespread fear and prompting urgent efforts to find a cure or prevention method.

The Mothers' March on Polio

The Mothers' March on Polio was initiated by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, now known as the March of Dimes. This organization was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, himself a polio survivor, with the goal of eradicating polio. The Mothers' March became a key component of the foundation's fundraising efforts.

The campaign involved mothers and other volunteers going door-to-door to collect donations for polio research and patient care. These efforts were often organized in the evening, with participants carrying lanterns or flashlights, symbolizing the light of hope in the darkness of the disease. The Mothers' March on Polio not only raised significant funds but also heightened public awareness about polio and the importance of vaccination.

Impact and Legacy

The funds raised by the Mothers' March on Polio contributed significantly to polio research, leading to the development of the Salk vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955, and later, the Sabin vaccine developed by Dr. Albert Sabin. These vaccines effectively ended the polio epidemic in the United States and significantly reduced the global incidence of the disease.

The campaign also set a precedent for future public health initiatives, demonstrating the effectiveness of community-based fundraising and awareness campaigns. The Mothers' March on Polio is remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of public health, showcasing the critical role of community action in combating diseases.

See Also

• March of Dimes
• Polio vaccine
• Epidemiology of poliomyelitis
• History of polio