Britney Spears wishes for charity donations on her birthday

Britney Spears is calling on her millions of fans to help celebrate her upcoming birthday by making a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The Toxic hitmaker will turn 32 on 2 December (13) and in lieu of gifts, she has asked devotees to consider throwing their support behind the top charity, which benefits kids with cancer and other diseases.

Expressing her birthday wish in an open letter online, she writes, "Dear Fans, It's that time of year again when we pause to reflect upon what we're thankful for. I'm thankful to have the most amazing fans in the world who have been there for me through everything...!

"This year, I'm doing something different for my birthday. I'm dedicating it to the kids of St. Jude. Help me out by not buying me a gift this year. Buy them a gift instead - the gift of another birthday.

"Why St. Jude? Since opening in 1962, treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food - because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. That's right: the best care in the world, for free, because of people like us. Now that's something worth celebrating.

"Let's get this party started. Love always, Britney".

The pop superstar's birthday will kick off a busy month - her new album, Britney Jean, will hit retailers next week (begs02Dec13), while her new Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me, will launch at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on 27 December (13), just in time for New Year's.