Blue Planet Run now accepting donations via text messaging

MILL VALLEY, Calif. – August 1, 2007 – Saving a life is just a text message away, thanks to a collaboration between PayPal and the Blue Planet Run Foundation (BPRF).

Anyone in the United States can now contribute to BPRF via text message from their mobile phones, an option made possible by PayPal.

Texting the donation code water to 63336 will make an automatic $10 donation to BPRF from the texter’s PayPal account.

BPRF funds projects that bring safe drinking water to some of the 1.2 billion people who currently live without it. Its signature event is the Blue Planet Run, an unprecedented nonstop around-the-world relay run that launched at the United Nations in New York City on June 1. Having traversed Europe, Russia and Asia, the 21 citizen athletes who make up the Blue Planet Run team began the North American portion of their journey in San Francisco on August 1. The Run concludes in New York City on September 4.

One hundred percent of individual contributions to BPRF goes toward funding safe-drinking-water projects across the globe. In addition to donating by text message, people can give through the Blue Planet Web site, www.blueplanetrun.org. According to the foundation, $30 can provide one person safe drinking water for life.

“The 2007 Blue Planet Run has inspired many people to help solve the global water crisis, and we’re very pleased that PayPal is helping us make it even easier for people to do their part in helping bring safe drinking water to the world’s population,” said
Matt Kursh, CEO of BPRF. “One simple text message can now help bring safe drinking water to someone in dire need.”

Donating via text message requires a PayPal account. After the donation code is submitted, the donator will receive either a text or a call back from PayPal to confirm. Those without a PayPal account will be prompted through the process of opening one, which is free.

About Blue Planet Run Foundation
The Blue Planet Run Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising global awareness about the need for safe drinking water and funding working solutions today for the billion people living without water.

The U.S.-based foundation connects nongovernmental organizations worldwide with funding and promotes operational sustainability. The foundation’s signature awareness and fund-raising event is the Blue Planet Run, the first-ever around-the-world relay.

For more information about Blue Planet Run Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit http://www.blueplanetrun.org.

Blue Planet Run is a registered trademark of Blue Planet Run Foundation.