Jun 30 | Get the Facts & Get Involved - Death Valley Desert (July 12 – July 16)

By Dean Karnazes

EMBRACE THE RACE
Recognized as "the world's toughest foot race," this event pits up to 90 of the world's toughest athletes against one another and the elements. Covering 135 miles (217km) from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, California in temperatures up to 130F (55C), it is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet.

FACE THE REALITY
While the athletes are competing with each other to win, desert communities worldwide are often competing with each other to live. Obtaining clean drinking water in such inhospitable conditions is a requirement for human survival.

Get the Facts on Water:
• The human body is 70% water, so is the Earth's surface!
• Only 3% of the Earth's water is fresh water.
• Less than 1% of the Earth's water is drinkable.
• While many people lack physical access to water, many more lack the necessary monetary means to utilize an adequate source of water. 
• More facts...

You can create the change these people need.  For every $30 you donate, one more person can receive safe drinking water for life.

WALK IN THEIR SHOES
It's easy to take water for granted - we are rarely without access, unlike 1 out of every 6 people on the planet.
Knowledge is power, so ask yourself:
• How many taps do you have in your house alone?
• Where does this water come from?
• Any chance of it going away? (You might be surprised!)
• Learn more...

About 30 million people in growing cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas depend on water from the Colorado and its tributaries. So does agriculture and hydroelectric industry. The Colorado River basin is in the throes of a record drought and no longer reaches the Pacific Ocean.

GO THE DISTANCE
Learn More: View our slide show.

Spread the Word:
Forward this page or send a message to your friends and family. By sharing this story with others, you are ensuring that more people embrace athletes such as Dean, learn more about the water issues we all face, and potentially save lives.

Donate Now:
The North Face® is dedicated to supporting the people and communities where we and our athletes explore. As many of these communities are much less fortunate than us, we take responsibility in helping to provide them with the basics for human health & prosperity. Ensuring communities have clean drinking water is at the core of community needs. Therefore, partnering with the Blue Planet Run Foundation's peer water exchange program provides us the vehicle to efficiently and effectively fund clean water delivery systems to these communities. We are thrilled to provide a $5000 matching grant that will ultimately effect several projects. We encourage you to think about your water use and then contribute to this important cause.

Click here to give a tax-deductible donation to water projects that save people's lives. Just $30 provides safe drinking water to one person for life!