1942 fundraiser for polio at New York City hospital for the disabled

The transcript discusses a fundraising campaign involving famous personalities from the Met to support the March of Dimes, the official fundraiser for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. With the necessary funds secured, scientists across the country were able to pursue research to combat paralysis.

In what ways could money be seen as a factor in combating diseases like infantile paralysis?

What was the elusive micro that scientists were pursuing?