On November 27, I turned 22.

In the months leading up to the date, it seemed surreal, even daunting. I soon found out, though, that millions of people don't live to see their fifth birthdays simply because they don't have access to clean, safe water.

Over the past few months, I have invested my heart and soul into the beautiful organization that is charity: water. I asked that my friends and family take part in my campaign, karma_water, to help the beautiful faces plastered all over the website see another day. Water is such a vital part of life, and I only want those same people to celebrate such a gift as I have the past twenty-two years.

Even though my birthday has passed, the unclean water epidemic persists. I am asking for donations of any amount from everyone willing to help -- and every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund clean water projects in developing nations. Charity: water will even 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 $2,200 by the end of 2012. If all 583 of my Facebook friends donate as little as $5, I will exceed my goal by almost $1,000!

Please join me to make this birthday count and have things come full circle :)