Frail - Sara Gauss - Jars Of Clay

"Frail" is one of the most emotionally raw and introspective songs by Jars of Clay. It originated as an early demo track (the band even named their 1994 independent demo release after it) and was later re-recorded with full lyrics and arrangement for their 1997 album Much Afraid.

In the context of the band Jars of Clay, the name Sara Gauss (often associated with the song "Frail") refers to the sister of the band's longtime drummer and multi-instrumentalist, Charlie Lowell.Lowell wrote the song "Frail"—which appears on their self-titled debut album—about his sister's struggle with HIV/AIDS after she contracted the virus from a blood transfusion while being treated for Leukemia.

The song's lyrics, such as "How I have chilled you / And how I have burned you," reflect the emotional and physical toll of her illness and the helplessness felt by her family.

Key facts about the connection:

• The Song: "Frail" was one of the earliest songs written by the band (specifically Lowell) while they were students at Greenville University.
• The Subject: Sara Gauss was Charlie Lowell's sister. Her story was a significant part of the band's early history and personal mission, leading them to be heavily involved in blood donation awareness and HIV/AIDS advocacy through their non-profit organization, Blood:Water Mission.
• Her Impact: Though she passed away in 1996, her legacy continued to influence the band's themes of human vulnerability and divine strength.

Blood:Water Mission (often stylized as Blood:Water) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to ending health disparities caused by the HIV/AIDS and clean water crises, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. It partners with community-driven, African-led organizations, providing long-term organizational strengthening (up to 8 years of support) and flexible financial aid to build sustainable capacity.

Founding and Origins

The organization was founded in 2004 by Jars of Clay (the multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning Christian alternative rock band, including members Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, and Matt Odmark) along with activist and author Jena Lee Nardella (who served as co-founder and early president).

The inspiration stemmed from a 2001 trip to Africa (including Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) by lead singer Dan Haseltine, where he witnessed the devastating intersection of dirty water sources and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Villagers drank from contaminated pools, and many suffered from AIDS-related illnesses exacerbated by lack of clean water and sanitation (WASH — Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). Haseltine returned with a vision jotted in his journal: "Blood:Water Mission. Clean blood and clean water for Africa." This tied into broader humanitarian concerns, including personal stories of loss within the band's circle—such as keyboardist Charlie Lowell's sister Sara Gauss, who died in 1996 from complications related to leukemia and HIV from a contaminated blood transfusion, influencing early themes of vulnerability and advocacy in Jars of Clay's music.

The mission began as a grassroots effort to personalize the HIV/AIDS crisis through storytelling, music, and creative action, evolving into direct support for African partners.

Key Milestones and Evolution

• 2005: Launched the flagship 1000 Wells Project, aiming to fund clean water access for 1,000 communities in sub-Saharan Africa (with the idea that $1 could sustain one person with clean water for a year). It involved collaborations with other artists (e.g., Sara Groves, Derek Webb, Sixpence None the Richer, Hanson) and authors for concerts, events, and fundraising.
• Late 2010: Achieved the 1000 Wells goal, expanding to include sanitation, hygiene education, health clinics, community health workers, and HIV/AIDS support.
• 2010s: Shifted focus to long-term partnerships (8-year commitments), organizational capacity building (via programs like The Leader Collective), and addressing both water/HIV interconnected issues. Campaigns included "40 Days of Water" (Lent-inspired fasting), Water Walks, and the Ride:Well cycling tour.
• Around 2014: Reached the milestone of providing clean water to 1 million people over about 10 years.
• 2024: Celebrated its 20th anniversary, having raised over $45 million, partnered with 33 organizations in 12 countries (focused on East and Southern Africa), and continued growth (e.g., expanding staff in Nairobi).

Current Impact and Model (as of recent data)

Blood:Water emphasizes community-led solutions—100% of program funding goes directly to local African partners (compared to ~14% in typical international aid). Partners self-assess and receive targeted support in cycles.

Key achievements include:

• Nearly 1 million people gained access to safe water.
• Over 1.1 million trained in sanitation and hygiene.
• More than 700,000 received HIV prevention services.
• Over 250,000 accessed HIV testing and counseling.

The organization is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and is currently led by Executive Director Jake Smith. It remains rooted in faith-inspired values (drawing from "mere Christianity" and virtues like justice and humility) while focusing on measurable, sustainable change.

In essence, Blood:Water grew from a band's eye-opening trip and personal motivations into a respected, innovative nonprofit that empowers local leaders to tackle two intertwined global crises—one drop, one life, at a time. For the latest updates, visit their official site at bloodwater.org.