Dear family and friends,

I'm not really much of a runner. But on June 25th, I'm going to run the most I've ever run before by participating in the half marathon in Seattle.

It's going to require training, determination, endurance, strength and a whole lot of moral support. Honestly, I'm just hoping I'll be able to do it.

But then I think of the millions of women and children who have to walk miles each day to retrieve water for their families. I think of how most of that hard-earned water isn't even clean and often causes deadly diseases. I think about how 45,000 people die each day from waterborne illnesses, and how 80% of illnesses in developing countries are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.

And then it makes it seem so much more simple. I can do it. It is the least I can do for people who don't even have the basic need in life of clean water. My heart aches for them and I want to do all I can to help them, but I can't do it alone. I need your help.

My goal is to raise $5,000 for water projects. I chose $5,000 because that is how much is costs to provide water for an entire community. To see more information, click above on the tab "what can 5,000 do."

Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to water projects, and each donation is "proved" using Google Earth when projects are complete. I'm asking for $13 (because a half-marathon is a little more than 13 miles) or whatever you can give. You can pledge per mile, you can give a lump sum when I complete my half-marathon or you can just donate whatever and whenever you want in the next three months.

I've never done anything like this before. And I promise to do it without complaining. After all, I'll have fresh water to keep me going. That's more than millions around the world can ask for.

Please join me in helping them.