Imerman Angels Fall Newsletter

Here at Imerman Angels, we’re always working hard to provide the best personalized 1-on-1 support for cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers. We are excited to announce that for this year, as of October 31, our team surpassed the 1,341 personalized matches conducted in 2010. Thank you for your help in establishing this record!
 
Our Mentor Angels are experienced cancer survivors and caregivers who provide empathy, hope, and inspiration by sharing their stories. More than 700 new Mentor Angels have joined us in 2011 bringing our total representation to almost 400 types of cancer.

Imerman Angels continues to grow internationally. Recently we’ve had Mentor Angels and support-seekers reach out from Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Finland, France, India, and Italy. We now have Mentor Angels in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Stories
A caregiver living in Kenya whose father is fighting colon cancer was matched with a Mentor Angel whose father was also fighting colon cancer. She felt unable to turn to her family, friends and co-workers for help because cancer is seen as a mysterious disease and is stigmatized. She was able to reach out to Imerman Angels and was matched with a Mentor Angel in the United States whose father was also fighting colon cancer. Via email, personalized support occurred across the globe.

A 39 year-old Marine was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer while on active duty. He reached out to us looking for a match for his cancer, rare to be that advanced for someone that young. However, we were able to connect him with a 35 year-old survivor of the same cancer. In addition to sharing a diagnosis, his Mentor Angel, who lives in Kentucky, shares a similar profession. As a police officer who understands the perils of service and duty, he is able to provide an additional layer of empathy and support.

A woman living in Florida whose husband was fighting a rare cancer, leiomyosarcoma presenting itself in the kidney, reached out to us hoping to connect with another wife who cared for a husband. We had a Mentor Angel living in Missouri whose husband survived the same cancer. In addition to matching the wives, both husbands agreed to be matched as well. In the end, the married couples were connected together.

Testimonial
“Bob and I share similar life experiences, so we related naturally.  There were no pretenses or hidden agendas.  It was as if we had known each other all of our lives…just to be able to talk to each other and relate to each other’s feelings had a huge impact in my life.  Thanks for all that you do!” – Cancer Fighter

Thank You!
A huge thanks to all of wonderful volunteers who have worked in our office this summer and fall to ensure that no one faces cancer alone! Meredyth Brook, Angie Henderson, Megan O’Connor, Chris Stephanos, Lisa Geiger, Elliott Hoopes, Rachel Cox, Xiaoyu Ji, Ramsena Younatham, Jenna Morgan, Michelle Knapik, Stefanie Cary, Tom Banuszak, Vassaly Sivanthaphanith, Jen Beshansky, Jessica Peker, Andie Mullins, and Heidi Trantow! We greatly appreciate all that you have contributed.

For more on Imerman Angels, visit imermanangels.org