BECAUSE, now I have hit my original goal of $350 and the second goal of $700 so quickly, then $1500 so much quicker than I thought and it is not even my birthday yet!! I am going to have to up it again to $2000!

All of my birthdays have always been a big celebration - it helps that I love planning and love being with my friends and family. Last year was a Hat Party at Tharens, the year before was celebrated in NYC, the one before that was a Ten Pin Bowling Party and the one before that was at Luna Park.

So this year, I'm giving my birthday up.

My birthday's have been fun - however being able to raise money to build freshwater projects for people in developing countries seems so much more important. Just think about how much water you use a day...some people are not so lucky.

I'm turning 27 years old and instead of asking for gifts or drinks at the pub, I'm asking for $350 or more (hopefully more!!) from everyone I know. It's not going to me, though. All of it is going to build freshwater projects for people in developing countries.

Almost a billion people in the world are living without clean water -- but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 30,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still have to walk hours each day to get dirty water for their families.

My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion people living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year.

The best part: 100% of all donations go directly toward water projects. I know this for a fact as my brother, Paull, works for charity:water and he and his team do an AMAZING job! And about 18 months after this campaign ends, charity: water will show us where and how every dollar we raised ended up helping in the field. We'll see GPS coordinates, photos and more details about the communities we've impacted.

Please join me. Even if it is just a few dollars. $350 will provide 17 people with clean water for a year! Come on - you can do it!

Much love,
Eliza. xxx