Hollywood actress Kristin Bell Joins Eric Wainaina in Eradicating Polio

Kristen Bell is the newest face to join Rotary’s ‘This Close’ public awareness campaign for polio eradication.

She joins Kenyan Afrofusion star, Eric Wainaina in fighting the paralyzing and life altering disease.

Polio is on the verge of becoming the second human disease ever to be eliminated worldwide after smallpox.

“I am overjoyed to work with Rotary at such an important moment in history,” Bell said. “To help create awareness about this horrible disease is exhilarating.”

Bell is best known for her roles as the quick-witted, sassy title character in the hit series Veronica Mars, razor-sharp Jeannie van der Hooven of House of Lies and the voice of Princess Anna of Arendelle in Disney’s third highest-grossing film Frozen.

She became interested in the importance of vaccines after the birth of her two daughters, Lincoln (age two) and Delta (age one).

“As the mother of two young girls, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to make sure every child is safe,” she said.

“Polio can be prevented with just 60 cents worth of vaccine – there’s absolutely no reason any child should suffer from it. Hopefully by lending my voice to send this message, I can help rid the world of polio forever.”

The actress joins other public figures and celebrities participating in Rotary’s public awareness campaign, including Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Supermodel Isabeli Fontana; Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu; action movie star Jackie Chan; boxing great Manny Pacquiao; pop star Psy; golf legend Jack Nicklaus; conservationist Jane Goodall; premier violinist Itzhak Perlman; Grammy Award winners AR Rahman; Angelique Kidjo and Ziggy Marley; and peace advocate Queen Noor of Jordan.