InvesTED in an End to Polio

There are three letters I am totally obsessed with: TED. Yes, I’ll admit it. Obsessed.

Over the past few years, I have come to revel over the incredible 18-minute journeys inside the minds of some of the world’s most innovative thinkers through TED Talks.

If you’re not familiar, take a look here. Prepare to be blown away.

Why do I share this obsession?

Because today is World Polio Day and I am reminded about one of my favorite TED Talks by Bruce Aylward. As the former director of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at the World Health Organization, Aylward has worked on the frontline for years battling this debilitating disease. In his TED Talk, he tells us why polio matters, and shares a plan to end this disease for good. With 99% polio vaccine coverage, we’re almost there. But as Aylward points out, “almost is just not good enough.”

My first recommendation of the day: Watch this video.

Okay, are you inspired? Are you invesTED in the end to polio?

Now it’s time to do something. Here are three easy ways to get invested in the end to polio.

Talk: Share this video and talk about it with friends and family. Tweet about World Polio Day and join the conversation. Also join the World Polio Day Twitter chat today at 2PM ET with @CDCGlobal, @UNFoundation, and @ShotAtLife using hashtag #wpdchat.

Educate: Today is a great day to brush up on your polio IQ. Check out Impatient Optimists’ “5 Reasons I’m Excited About World Polio Day” and an interactive infographic about the “Progress Against Polio” for some great reads on polio eradication.

Donate: Of course, you can easily put your money where your Tweet is. Think about it, it only costs dollars to send a life-saving polio vaccine to the people who need them most. Check out United Nation Foundation’s Shot@Life, Rotary International’s End Polio Now Campaign and UNICEF for ways to give a little.

What do you think? Are you obsessed – like me – with this TED Talk? How are you invesTED in the end to polio?