Right now, almost 1 billion people on the planet--one in eight of us--don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. Eighty percent of diseases are water-related, causing more deaths annually than all forms of violence, including war. By simply improving access to clean drinking water, 2.2 million lives a year could be saved. That seems like a goal we can achieve, but only if we do it together.

So for my 53rd birthday this year, I am pledging to raise $53,000, or $1,000 for every birthday I've celebrated, for the Charity: Water September Campaign that will be announced on August 14th.

I have made the first donation of $5,300 through The Kors Lepere Foundation and hope that you will be a part of the future and join me in helping me reach my goal.

One hundred percent of donations will be directed towards helping communities in need gain access to safe and clean drinking water. In 18 months, we will have GPS coordinates on Google Maps and photos of the well that we built together.

Fondly and with thanks,

Michael