The Power of Twitter: The Frozen Pea Fund
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.
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On December 21, 2007 @ 12:03 pm Themoleskin said
[...] is Frozen Pea Friday in support of blogger Susan Reynolds. I wrote a summary of it on Semple Ideas so I won’t rehash here. Thanks to all who are supporting this great [...]
On December 25, 2007 @ 9:24 pm Connie Reece
said
Kelsey, I’m so glad to hear your mother won her battle against breast cancer. Thanks for helping us get the word out about the Frozen Pea Fund. In the first 15 hours after we launched, 118 people on 3 continents donated $3,500 to fund breast cancer research and programs through the American Cancer Society. You’re right — it’s not which tools we use for social media; it’s the people. They’re what made Frozen Pea Friday a success.
On February 7, 2008 @ 10:02 am David
said
Hey,
This is David Neff over at the American Cancer Society. Thanks so much for posting about this. Susan is just one of the many women that face Breast Cancer every year. Thanks for helping us spread the word that this disease is treatable if caught.
- Dave
P.S. If your coming to SXSW this year come hear us talk Frozen peas on our Interactive Panel.
On September 9, 2009 @ 9:34 am olimpiado
said
What is the secret to increase Twitter followers (more than 3000)?
On September 16, 2009 @ 11:03 am Sal Baldovinos
said
Follow those who follow you and search out keywords using hashtags. These are a few ways of gaining a following. If you have a blog, you can post a call-to-action for people to follow you on twitter too.