The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that India - for the very first time - has gone an entire year without one case of Polio.

In 2010, the report notes, there were 42 reported new cases of Polio.

But 2011 was a banner year, with zero new cases reported.

WHO described this major breakthrough as a "milestone" since India has been an epicenter of the disease for more than 50 years.

The Rotary Clubs located in spots from small town U.S.A. such as Montclair and the Caldwells, to large cities such as New York, to more than 34,000 clubs worldwide, has persistently worked to eradicate Polio, with great success.

Now, with India working towards a 3-year mark of remaining Polio-free, which would signify and end to this crippling and often fatal disease, other countries with Polio include China, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

A massive campaign driven an international partnership between the International Rotary Club, WHO and Melinda and Bill Gates has brought the total eradication of Polio worldwide close to fruition.

About Rotary and Polio:

Since 1988, Rotary International and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) — the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — have worked to wipe polio from the face of the earth. A volunteer service organization of 1.2 million men and women, Rotary began immunizing children against polio in 1985 and became a spearheading partner in the GPEI three years later.

Rotary’s main responsibilities are fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer recruitment. To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$900 million to the polio eradication effort.

With over 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, Rotary is able to reach out to national governments worldwide to generate crucial financial and technical support for polio eradication. Since 1995, the advocacy efforts of Rotary and its partners have helped raise more than $8 billion from donor governments.

Rotary clubs also provide “sweat equity” on the ground in polio-affected communities, which helps ensure that leaders at all levels remain focused on the eradication goal. Rotary club members have volunteered their time and personal resources to reach more than two billion children in 122 countries with the oral polio vaccine.