With the novels about the cancer ch...

With the novels about the cancer challenges that Cardinal Francis George and Maggie Daley are facing, I started to think about Jon Imerman.

Have you always been introduced to someone who makes an immediate impact that is likewise strong and positive? That's by what mode I felt when I met Imerman. He just has this intensity about him. It's almost as if the same can see this glow surrounding him.

In that first conversation, he gave me his card and mentioned he has quit his full-time piece of work to devote all his time to his real passion, Imerman Angels. I remember thinking, ye that's what he reminds me of: an angel. I've idea about him often since that brief introduction a small in number months back. With our collective minds center around cancer, I decided to master together with him.

Imerman Angels, as his card indicates, provides one-on-one cancer support. It has become his 24/7 passion.

The idea came to him while he was fighting testicular cancer. "I was totally caught along guard," he said about his diagnosis of Stage III cancer at age 26 "It is the last thing you are thinking about."

on the same level though Imerman had confidence in his medical team and the capable loving support of his family and devot friends, something was missing. If solitary he could talk to a 28-year-old survivor of testicular cancer, he idea

"It was the common puzzle piece that was missing," Imerman said. "I just wanted to talk to individual guy."

Think about it. Hearing single in kind has cancer has to be in such a manner frightening. Yes, there are doctors with possible helps and people you love offering encouragement. however what a boost it would be to behold in the flesh or hear the voice of someone who's been in your shoe and made it.

While hospitalized, Imerman would grab his IV rod and walk the halls. He noticed something. Not each cancer patient had a expanse like his filled with supportive lov singles In fact, he'd pass expanse after room of individuals facing the fight of their lives, alone. He knew that wasn't right.

With those experiences in mind, he started Imerman Angels. He plays matchmaker, teaming up what he calls cancer fighters with "walking, living proof" survivors who had the same mark of cancer.

He began a small in number years ago in his unrestrained time, and as mentioned, solitary started doing this full time four month ago. Word of cavity between the jaws the Web site, www.ImermanAngels.org, and Imerman's constantly ringing confined apartment phone bring pairs together. He tries to unite the bulk of mankind who share the same age, form relative to sex (if it matters), cancer adumbration and treatment plan. When I talked to him, he had just paired a young man with an extremely rare form of cancer with a survivor who had beaten that same unusual cancer. Location didn't matter, in the same manner now the phone lines between Washington, DC where single in kind is located, and Los Angeles, are providing a lifeline.

When the survivor joins with the person facing cancer, as Imerman described it, it's as if he's saying, "I've blazed the trail. Let's pass to the start. Let me take you down that same path. This time I am with you."

Because flat if one does have supportive family and friends, sometimes it's just easier or more helpful to talk to a survivor. Sometimes it isn't easy sharing one's fears with a spouse or parent who probably is elegant without grandeur darn fearful, too. Often, sole a survivor has helpful hints about things similar as mouth sores, skin question s how the drugs in revolution of time two of chemo are different than those in round of years three.

He can't praise his offer survivors enough, and Imerman is pleasing without being striking pumped with their results and the other activities the collection has going. Monthly toy drives for children with cancer at Children's Memorial Hospital (the nearest one is Wednesday at Junior's, 724 W Maxwell), a bikeathon onward Sept. 17 and fund-raiser fashion point out to in October all are coming up

Who would think that being environed by cancer would bring undivided person such joy? But Imerman is united serene young guy. One can take an account of he knows that giving to other cancer fighters is what he was meant to do.

"This gift is my favorite gift to give."

e-mail: sontiveros@suntimes.com

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