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Cedar Rapids pilot to fly across Atlantic in support of polio eradication
Peter Teahan and co-pilot Ed Galkin look to raise $1 million
Sep. 2, 2025 5:30 am, Updated: Sep. 2, 2025 7:33 am
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A Cedar Rapids pilot is currently flying across the Atlantic Ocean to support polio eradication efforts with a goal of raising $1 million for the cause. The campaign has already raised $100,000.
Peter Teahen, of Cedar Rapids, is flying with his co-pilot Ed Galkin, of New Jersey. The pair’s journey began Saturday, taking off from New Jersey. The entire journey will take them 37 days with stops in 11 countries.
“You talk to a lot of people in the United States, and the common comment is, well, I thought polio was over with … We don't hear about it here, but the two active countries right now are Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Teahen said. “But if we give up vaccinating or trying to stop polio, within 10 years, 200,000 children a year will be infected by polio, and that's why it's so important that we bring an end to it.”
Teahen and Galkin are longtime Rotary Club members and are raising money through the Rotary Foundation. The Gates Foundation is matching donations, providing $2 for every $1 donated to the campaign.
Teahen joined the Cedar Rapids West Rotary Club in 1984, only a year before the Rotary Foundation started its polio eradication education efforts.
“On the international level, to see the energy that we created so just completely blows us away. And that's why we're so excited to do this trip, and why rotaries are supporting us, saying this is the most unique fundraiser ever done,” said Teahen.
Teahen’s second flight for polio eradication
Two years ago, Teahen — accompanied by John Ockenfels of Shueyville — embarked on a flight around the world to raise money to eradicate polio. That trip lasted 90 days and covered 25,323 miles.
On this year’s trip, he’s flying the same type of plane as the last flight, a Cessna 210, a single engine airplane.
Teahen connected with Galkin prior to the 2023 flight with Ockenfels. At the time, Galkin had already flown three separate times and Teahen was looking to him for advice. The two formed a friendship over their shared love of flying and as longtime members of Rotary.
Though the two have both made flights around the world, Galkin, 89, suggested another fundraiser with a smaller geographic scope.
“A couple months ago, Ed called me and says, ‘You know, I'm not getting any younger. I'd like to do one more big trip before I probably can't do it anymore’. He said, ‘How about doing the circle the Atlantic idea with me?’” said Teahen.
Upon completion of the journey, Galkin will be one of the oldest men to ever fly across the Atlantic. Though the two men enjoying flying, they are keeping the fundraising and awareness efforts at the forefront.
“Ed could be the oldest pilot to ever fly across the Atlantic, and then we'll get a speed record on top of it, so it's kind of fun and we're going to raise more money for Rotary and eradicating polio … I want people around the world to know that Rotarians believe we are seeing the end of polio. And that has become the summation of this flight,” said Teahen.
Anyone interested in donating to the fundraiser, or learning more about the flight, can do so at bit.ly/EndPolioFlight.
Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com
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