While many still debate the exact use(fulness) of Twitter it’s hard to debate the power of the relationships and networks that have formed on Twitter. Case and point The Frozen Pea Fund.

The Fund is a Breast Cancer fund raising program inspired by and in support of blogger Susan Reynold. Thanks to great people on Twitter like Connie Reece the peas and the cause have been spreading like wild fire. I would like to point out that Twitter and social media have nothing to do with why this cause is working, it’s the people. So anyway, why are peas important to this cause? Rather than explaining it myself here is Susan’s account from Boobs on Ice.

When I discovered a very thick area in my breast I called the doctor. The next day I was in her office. A half hour after that I was in the diagnostic radiologist’s.

A full afternoon and multiple stab wounds later we had a variety of samples of malignant tentacles of tissue that were on their way to the lab.

I was in a little pain - it would increase as the local anesthetic wore off - but left his office with a soft cold pack in my bra.

To keep bleeding down & relieve pain I’d need to keep things cool. Traditional ice packs are hard and heavy. As much as I try to be a good sport I’m not into having a brick sitting on my chest.

Enter a bag of frozen peas.

I tucked it in my bra, took a picture, and was ready to tell the story later that night. That bag of peas added a touch of lightness to what could have been a sad and serious tale.

You can support the fund by donating at The Frozen Pea Fund Web Site. There’s also a Flickr Group where you can upload your pea themed avatar or image. This cause is one that is very personal to me. Having had my own mother fight and win the battle against breast cancer I know first hand how difficult and trying it is for the patient, family and loved ones. The important thing is to be there for support. Fortunately, my mother did not need a mastectomy and has made a full recovery, not every one has this outcome, so causes like Frozen Pea Friday tare very important. Our prays are with Susan.

Other Posts on The Frozen Pea Fund.

• Ed Schipul - Brand To Be Determined
  
• A community vs. cancer
• Can You Spare The Odd Pea For A Good Cause?

Some unusual things happened last week (Dec 10-14). In Gresham, Oregon, a tow truck driver was arrested after trying to tow the cop who ticketed him. At the Nürnberg airport, a man nearly died after opting to chug a liter of vodka rather than relinquish it before a flight. And in Austin there was Phizzpop.

I was invited to help represent Pop Labs at the Austin Phizzpop Design Challenge, a Microsoft-sponsored design and development competition, along with our very own Chris Pratt and LaToya David. The Phizzpop Design Challenge pits top designer/developers in various cities around America, and it’s usual for several reasons. (more…)

Chuck is back with the latest marketing rap. This time he talks about the basics of paid search advertising.