On Dec. 4th, I'm turning 33.

At first, this seemed surreal, even daunting.

But then I found out that millions of people don't live to see their fifth birthdays. And why? Because they don't have access to clean, safe water.

So I'm not scared of turning 33 anymore. In fact, I'm celebrating my birthday like never before.

When I did a study abroad in India, we stayed with a village family suffering from drought. We helped them to dig an irrigation ditch under the hot sun to help their corn crops grow. This changed my views on the need for access to water around the world.

I'm asking for $33 from everyone I know -- and every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund clean water projects in developing nations. 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 be able to see the communities we've helped!

My goal is to raise $1000 by the end of the year.

Please join me to make this birthday count.