You're flawless. Happy birthday!

A short story:
Last Tuesday, I was informed at work that we could not drink the water from the filtered fountain or the tap due to a drop in chlorine levels in Trenton. We were advised to thoroughly wash our hands with soap or to use hand sanitizer since the water wasn't as clean as usual. So, I couldn't fill up my water bottle and had to instead walk across the street and buy one for $1.50 from the vending machine.
Typically, I'll drink two full 32-oz bottles of water during my 7-hour work day, plus more when I get home; so this was *awful* for me. I felt dehydrated and distracted, downing my small Dasani bottle within an hour. The next day, we were told that some time this week, someone would come in to replace the filters and flush out the system. This didn't happen until Friday; so for four days I was trying to make small plastic water bottles (eventually provided by the University) last my full work day.
This was four days. The water at home was safe to drink; I could shower and wash my hands without worrying about residue or germs being left behind. Still, I was tired and unfocused because I wasn't as hydrated throughout the day as I was accustomed to.

I share this story to demonstrate how I've taken consistent access to clean water for granted. Water is the foundation of life. In our bodies, water helps to regulate our body temperature, protect organs, carry nutrients, etc. You can only survive 3-5 days without water; whereas you could survive some 3 weeks without food.

Everyone deserves accessible, clean water. This is why I'm donating my birthday (June 21) to charity: water. As you're fighting off this heat with glasses of ice water, consider donating to my campaign so that others can stay hydrated during the summer heat as well.

Why am I donating my birthday to charity: water? Because 1 in 10 people worldwide do not have access to clean water. Because women suffer physically from walking 4 billion hours a year to get water. Because girls have to choose between getting water for their family or getting an education. Because global economies are suffering by excluding women from the workforce. Because clean water changes everything. Read the facts and stories below, then head over to my fundraising page and donate anything you can - even if that means you give up buying a cup of coffee for just one day. If that's not incentive enough, every dollar invested in charity: water projects can yield $4-$12 in economic returns. Learn more here: https://www.charitywater.org/whywater/

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far! We've raised enough for one person to get clean water, which is truly an exciting and amazing thing. You all are so kind and truly illuminate my life. Going into this, I did not expect the turnout to be so quick and substantial. This is an amazing organization and you all are now a part of it. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being the altruistic, thoughtful, and caring people you are.
Much love,
Emily