So, my 29th birthday is around the corner. I'm at the age where my mom is still asking me for gift ideas, and I'm running out of inspiration. Fine, she says, I'll just send you money.

Well, there's a better solution.

I was recently in Vietnam, where I had to drink bottled water for 18 days because there was no way you could trust the tap. It's something so simple, a daily thing that we take for granted here in the States. Dirty water and sanitation issues contribute to 88% of the global disease burden. That's insane. Not only that, but just doing the necessary walk to get water can take hours each day. Hours that women could be doing other things. That kids could be going to school. And don't get me started on all the plastic used for bottled water!!

This birthday, I'm asking for my age in dollars from everyone I know. Every penny of the money raised will directly fund clean water projects in developing countries. Even better, charity: water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 18 months). That means we'll know the locations and names of the communities we helped.

Help me reach my goal. Please donate to my birthday campaign!