This year I want my birthday to make a difference.

I'm turning 30 years old and asking everyone I know to give US$30 or more toward building 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.

The best part: 100% of all donations go directly toward water projects. 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.

To be honest, I'm a bit scared about the response I'll get. I'm not sure if enough people will care. But look at me holding two cups of water. You and I have always had the choice to drink the clean glass. Think about how much we can help those people that never had the same choice.

I've donated US$300 to get this project started.

Please join me.

Love you all,
Brandon