Birthdays for most people I know have historically been about stuff. Stuff we may not want or need.

This year, I'm giving up my birthday. I'm turning 52 years old, and instead of gifts, I'm asking for a donation from everyone I know. It's not going to me, though. All of it is going to build freshwater wells for people in developing nations. Any amount can help.

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.

My birthday wish this year is to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year.

Please join me.

please note: Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete.