Leica 'Twitter' for charity

Leica Camera AG, Germany, says it is donating .50 Euro to the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR) for every new follower to Leica’s Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/leica_camera). Leica will donate an additional 1,000 Euros to AICR upon reaching 10,000 followers by July 9.

Benefiting international cancer research, this project is part of an initiative that was launched by Leica enthusiast photographers who met on the independent International Leica User Forum website (http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/). The cornerstone of this project is the Leica User Forum Charity Book 2010, which is available through the online publishing company Blurb here. Its 172 pages offer a broad variety of images taken by 101 Leica Forum members. In addition to the donation made by the participating photographers, for each book sold, 6 Euros will benefit the AICR. More than 9,000 Euros have already been raised.

“I am delighted to be contributing to an initiative that perfectly illustrates the spirit of the Leica user community,” says CEO Rudolf Spiller. “The project combines social responsibility, creative excellence and appreciation for Leica cameras and lenses.”

“We simply wanted to showcase the talent of this forum’s photographers, while simultaneously raising money for a good cause,” remarks Leica Forum member Bill Palmer who thought of the book’s concept. “The response was overwhelming, both in the number and quality of images submitted from contributors worldwide.”

AICR’s chief executive, Norman Barrett, says the “impressive work of photo aficionados will provide essential income to help scientists across the globe in their efforts to understand and answer some of the most complicated questions in their field.”