Comments to Post story Jan. 10, 2008

An example of the email I received:
Great article about Susan Reynolds. I'm one of the folks who follow her on Twitter. I couldn't quite figure out what the peas were all about at first. I even thought one guy had given himself a broccoli afro. But it didn't take too long for it all to become clear. It's a great community. And for me the timing was a bit eerie. The week I discovered Susan we found out that my mother also has breast cancer. Susan and her supporters have really helped me in coming to grips with the situation.

And so many people are learning not only about breast cancer but also about Twitter because of your article.

Comments posted at Washington Post site:
One day I was minding my own business on Twitter, and the next I was changing my avatar and donating money! I still don't know how it all happened. Seriously though, in the short time I have been involved in the community, I have become more and more impressed with the people who share their lives there. When you are a part of a community and people are hurting, in any way, you tend to do things you normally wouldn't to try and help. Thanks to Susan for being so open, and thank you to the rest of our friends who are supporting her and the Frozen Pea Fund. Posted by robertrarmstrong (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 12:02 a.m.

i've been amazed and touched to see the twitter community rally around susan reynolds. people outside the blogosphere underestimate just how powerful online interactions can be in offering support (and kindness) that really makes a difference. Posted by jenlemen (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

In the middle of last year I created an account on Twitter and really had no idea what it was but I was always up for trying new things. I really had no expectations of really using it at all but I found myself virtually surrounded by many people who really cared about one another. Last month when I started seeing "tweets" about peas, I was curious. When I found out what was going on, I was amazed. I, of course, began following @SusanReynolds and @PEAple and watched as all of this unfolded. I was amazed. When Susan received a good word from the doctor, we all cheered. It really felt great being able to be a tiny part in something so big -- and when I found out that Susan lived in the same area I do, I was even more amazed. Twitter is truly making a difference in this world. From a gathering of people to hold a company accountable for their actions, to raising money for breast cancer, to raising money for the husband of a tweeter who was tragically killed in a car crash on Jan 8th, and even for fighting fires in California, there is definately a difference being made in this world from those who "tweet" and the only thing I can say to people who don't understand it is they need to try it. Twitter can't be explained - it must be felt. Posted by bblboy54 (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 12:08 a.m.

I started seeing peavatars everywhere on Twitter. A quick investigation led me to following @SusanReynolds tweets. I can relate to using peas to sooth pain as frozen vegetables are usually always available when you need them. It really makes me feel warm inside to see all of the support she has received via our online community. - @seorob Posted by info (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.

Twitter and social media help us all see the story behind the statistics ... and Susan's is a great example. Through Twitter we come into contact with people we have never "met" but whose lives we can tough and emotions we can share. Posted by servant (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 12:39 a.m.

A month and a half after stumbling into Twitter, I started seeing peas everywhere. I learned about Susan Reynolds the day she went in for her surgery. Within a few short hours, my heart was as concerned for her as it would be for a close friend! My avatar immediately went green. Ever since then I've been thankful for the blessing of getting to know her and so many other wonderful people in the Twitter community. As a writer and artist who has been using the wonders of the internet to spread the word about needy causes, I've been excited and amazed by the awesome work the Twitter community has done in getting the word out about the Frozen Pea Fund. I'm just thankful to be able to participate. ~mousewords Posted by mousewords.chat (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 1:05 a.m.

I joined Twitter only 6 days ago and came across Susan on Day 2. Because my academic research--focused mainly on the trauma of Hurricane Katrina--has me also interested in illness narratives, I began following her daily updates. It's amazing to see this very public community develop into one that trusts the way they do. And it happens with every passing minute and update. Truly inspiring! Thank you Susan for sharing your story with us all. Posted by phdaisy (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 1:10 a.m.

I first heard of the frozen pea fund through comments to my blog (Toddler Planet) and have been so impressed with the Twitter community that I joined it this week. Both Twitter and blogging are amazing venues for outreach, support, and social networking. Susan is a courageous woman, and it's been neat getting to know her as she goes through the first days of her cancer. Posted by sniebur (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 5:33 a.m.

I was on Twitter and following Susan before her diagnosis, and you have to understand what a wonderful woman she is to share her journey with all of us. She may SAY that we support her, but truthfully she supports all of us, with knowledge, information and sharing. Think of all the people on Twitter who know about the process involved in diagnosis and surgery now who did not know three months ago. This is turning your personal journey into something for the common good. Twitter's great, but Susan and Connie are better! Posted by francine (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.

All this discussion of peas and social media has me wondering, how many peas in an iPod:) Posted by penningink (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 10:54 a.m.

Susan and I had been tweeting for some time. Her son is in the AF and I'm in the AF Reserve. So her son and I started to communicate. Naturally a friendship developed. When I learned about Susan's cancer I literally wept. Many prayers were lifted for her and mercifully she is doing well. Recently another Twitter user was killed in a car accident in Louisiana. We have managed to raise nearly $3,000 in cash for the family's immediate needs. I believe Susan's leadership in this online community spirited that on. In the case of the young woman, Ashley Spencer, who passed away, Susan had just put a package together and was getting ready to send it out - it had items in it for Ashley's 4 week old infant and approximately 18 month old son. Giving, sharing, and caring are alive and well on Twitter. It's an extension of the "barn raising" concept of helping each other in times of need, and enjoying each other the rest of the time. www.danmosqueda.blogspot.com Posted by danmosqueda (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 12:10 p.m.

I was on Twitter when Susan found out. I too found out the same week I had breast cancer. I kept silent and read as she twittered about her scary experience. She gave me the courage to finally say something on Twitter. There are a lot of good people out there. Along with her and her FrozenPea Army I'm not as afraid as I was. Beth/Splashgirl Posted by racingcrew (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 8:45 p.m.

Twitter is the kind of community you wish you lived in offline. Where you can choose your neighbors, and those neighbors are informed, insightful, caring, and supportive. The first day the PEAvatars started, 3 of them popped up on my feed in 10 minutes. My query of 'what's with the peas?' was met with, 'they're in support of our friend, @susanreynolds, who has just learned that she has breast cancer.' Not 'another twitter member' but 'our friend.' It didn't take long to support the friend of my friends... and it didn't take long before I got to know the fabulous Susan Reynolds herself. Twitter isn't just a bunch of anonymous people pounding out 140 character soundbites about what they are eating or wearing or watching on TV (although you will find those on there, too, for some reason) - it's real people, with real lives, becoming connected in ways that didn't used to be possible. ~yndygo Posted by jforexxvqhxhsw (anonymous) on January 10, 2008 at 9:53 p.m.

Thanks