Imerman Angels Provides Connections in the Fight against Cancer

Sometimes the best therapy for cancer is just talking to someone who’s been there. Imerman Angels was created on the belief that no one should have to face cancer alone. At 26 years young, Jonny Imerman was diagnosed with testicular cancer and began his life-changing fight. Throughout his experience, Jonny was lucky enough to have loving support from his family and friends, but had never met anyone his age who was a cancer survivor. He wanted to talk to someone just like him — someone who truly understood and was intimately familiar with his experience. This was the beginning of Jonny’s vision, and in 2003 it became a reality when he founded Imerman Angels.

No one can quite understand the effects that cancer has physically, mentally or emotionally on an individual other than someone else who has personally been there. Through our unique matching process, Imerman Angels connects those seeking cancer support with a Mentor Angel — a cancer survivor or caregiver who is similar in age, gender and most importantly, cancer experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any stage, at any age, living anywhere in the world.

While we recognize that each cancer and life situation is unique, Mentor Angels give cancer fighters and caregivers the chance to ask personal questions and receive support from a peer who has been down the same road. Following are examples of cancer fighters or caregivers who have been helped by a Mentor Angel:

• A wife caring for her husband whose brain tumor is causing changes in his behavior.
• A breast cancer patient who is going through a divorce due to her cancer.
• A testicular patient who is concerned about fertility issues.
• A leukemia cancer fighter who has no family support.
• A prostate cancer fighter trying to decide between a traditional vs robotic prostatectomy.
• A mother with advanced stage cancer who has small children.

Cancer survivors and caregivers carry a lot of experience and knowledge that is valuable to those who are just starting their cancer journey. We encourage all cancer survivors and caregivers to become Mentor Angels and provide hope, inspiration and courage to individuals newly touched by cancer.

Imerman Angels and the Livestrong Foundation are working together to help those touched by cancer. The official partnership dates back to February 21, 2011. It was then when Imerman Angels became an exclusive third-party provider of one-on-one peer cancer support. Imerman Angels is honored to partner with Livestrong in their quest to address the common and unique problems that cancer survivors face. Through this partnership, Imerman Angels hopes to welcome many more cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers.

To get or give support, call the LivestrongFoundation at 1.855.220.7777, or fill out our online intake form. You will be contacted by a representative who will discuss your needs and experiences in order to make the best possible match. Those looking to be a Mentor Angel will go through training with a Cancer Support Specialist so that they can provide the best support possible to someone in need.

Originally published at endpoint89551e0f.chios.panth.io on November 17, 2014.

Imerman Angels Provides Connections in the Fight against Cancer was originally published in Livestrong Voices on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.