I don't know if you've noticed a new trend in birthdays, but this is the second similar e-mail I have received from a dear friend in the last month.

I pass it on to you because you might want to consider this yourself. And I'm giving you Shirley's e-mail address in case you want to participate in giving a gift of yourself to someone you don't know.

Read on, and I think you'll be impressed by the concept.

Hi everyone,

Some of you know me well - some hardly at all, but that doesn't matter!