One patient at a time: International survivor network looking for mentors
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| Jonny Imerman, founder of the nonprofit cancer support network Imerman Angels, speaks Wednesday evening at CGH Medical Center. Imerman’s organization helps cancer patients connect with other cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. In just 6 years, he has recruited more than 2,000 cancer survivors as mentors for current patients. His goal is to have enough volunteers to connect each new patient with a survivor of similar age and the same cancer within 24 hours of diagnosis, everywhere. (Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@svnmail.com) |
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STERLING – Jonny Imerman was a successful 26-year-old real estate development manager when a testicular cancer diagnosis sent him back to live at his mother’s house in suburban Detroit.
He was 28 when the cancer recurred and a team of surgeons lifted his stomach and small intestines onto the operating table to get a shot at four tumors growing around the base of his spine.
Through all the months in hospitals, a blood clot that nearly claimed his left arm, chemotherapy, radiation, the weekends spent dizzy on the couch, Imerman enjoyed broad support from friends and family in suburban Detroit.
But he felt alone – and scared.
It was the feeling that he was the only one to endure those life-changing complications at such a young age that drove Imerman to hang up his suit and tie, move to Chicago, and start a cancer support network, Imerman Angels.
“Every time I opened my eyes, there were, like, 10 people all around me. I had the best support anyone could ever ask for,” Imerman said. “But the one thing that was missing, and it was crystal clear, was that I didn’t have anyone who could look me square in the eye and say: ‘Hey, buddy. I’ve been there. I was scared like you’re scared.’”
In just 6 years, Imerman has managed to recruit more than 2,000 cancer survivors as mentors for patients. Within the next 4 years, he hopes to have enough volunteers to connect each new patient with a survivor of similar age and the same cancer within 24 hours of diagnosis, everywhere.
Wednesday, he shared his experience at CGH Medical Center.
Connie Thimmesch, a counselor at Dixon’s Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center, said keeping an optimistic mind-set through treatment can make a world of difference when enduring cancer treatment.
“If you’ve got a positive attitude, and there’s all those people there to support you, you’re going to respond better to treatment. You’re going to do better,” Thimmesch said.
Despite improvements in survival rates for patients younger than 15, and for those older than 40, cancer survival among patients ages 25 to 35 hasn’t improved since 1975, according to the National Cancer Institute.
John Siperly, a 77-year-old Rock Falls resident and 4-year survivor of esophageal cancer, said he plans to sign up as a mentor.
Siperly received a diagnosis of stage IV cancer at age 74.
“I wasn’t worth much then,” Siperly said. “But here I sit, healthy as can be.”
The support he received throughout treatment is something he wants to pass on.
“I’m a strong advocate for helping someone else.”
Local cancer support
Local cancer support is available at Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Centers in Dixon, a nonprofit agency that provides counseling and related therapies for patients, friends and family touched
by cancer.
Home of Hope, which sponsored Jonny Imerman’s appearance along with CGH Medical Center, can be reached at www.homeofhopeonline.com or 815-288-4673.
To learn more
The free, nonprofit cancer support network Imerman Angels pairs cancer patients and caregivers with people who shared similar experiences, “so that no one will have to fight cancer alone.”
In just 6 years, the network has grown to more than 2,000 cancer patients in all 50 states and 35 countries.
People fighting cancer, and survivors who want to mentor patients, can send an e-mail to info@imermanangels.org, go to www.imermanangels.org or call 312-274-5529 to reach Imerman Angels’ office in Chicago.
