Last year was when I first had the thought of giving up my birthday and not celebrating at all. I realized that I was so spoiled and was celebrating my birthday to get more things that I don't really need and spending money on parties and dinners that I could do without.

So a couple of months ago, while browsing the net I found a great organization called Charity Water. This organization gives the gift of clean water to people who struggle to have clean water everyday. I know that I've never struggled with looking for clean water, I could walk a couple steps to my fridge and get a cup or drive down the street to buy a bottle. It's so easy, but not for the millions of people around the world.

So this year, I'm giving my birthday up.

I'm turning 27 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for $27 or more 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.

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 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.

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.