Yep - I'm turning 50! That's 18 with 32 years of experience...and that experience has taught me that the most precious things in life are those we often take for granted. Like life itself.

I decided to donate my 50th birthday to charity: water because there is no gift in the world that is as meaningful or everlasting as life, and water brings life.

Many of my favorite memories involve water - the sea, lakes, waterfalls, thunderstorms, ice, snow, a hot shower! Water cleanses the mind, body and soul. Many of us have no idea what it's like to be without water, to be thirsty. We have plenty of water to drink -- even the water in our toilets is clean!

But many people around the world don’t have that luxury. Every day, about 1,400 children die from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple solutions that help provide clean water to communities around the world.

$1,500 will give 50 people access to clean water. That's one person for every year I've been alive.

So instead of presents, please give to my campaign. Anything you can give is a huge help. 100% of the money will be used to build clean water projects, and when they’re complete, charity: water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the exact community we helped!

Thank you for helping to make my birthday present. Your presence in my life is a gift. A donation to charity:water would make it priceless.

With much love and gratitude,
Angela