Global polio group picks up $100 million pledge from N.Y. Mayor Michael Bloomberg

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, following his meeting with Vice President Joe Biden.  

SEATTLE — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pledging $100 million to help the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others fight polio around the world.

The Seattle-based Gates Foundation says Bloomberg is set to announce the donation to the Global

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, following his meeting with Vice President Joe Biden.  

SEATTLE — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pledging $100 million to help the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others fight polio around the world.

The Seattle-based Gates Foundation says Bloomberg is set to announce the donation to the Global Polio Eradication Initiativeon Thursday. The group has a six-year plan to eliminate polio.

Polio is a vaccine-preventable disease that has been eradicated in most countries, but it still causes paralysis or death in parts of the world, including Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Gates and Bloomberg foundations have also collaborated to reduce tobacco use, and to encourage family planning and modern birth control.

Bloomberg’s website says he has donated $2.4 billion to a variety of causes over the years, including $330 million in 2011.

— The Associated Press

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