On September 22nd, I'm turning 24.

At first, this seemed surreal, even daunting.

But then I found out that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water.

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. 45,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

So I'm not scared of turning 24 anymore. In fact, I'm celebrating my birthday like never before.

I'm asking for $24 from everyone I know - and every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund freshwater wells in developing nations. Even better, every dollar is "proved" when the projects are complete, and photos and GPS coordinates are posted using Google Earth.

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 living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year.

My goal is to raise $5000 by my birthday, September 22nd.

Please join me.