We currently have about 100 runners hitting the streets March 21 to run the Shamrock Shuffle in support of Imerman Angels!

We are still in need of several more volunteers to help out with the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle.  Please pass this information along to anyone you know who may be interested!

Post Race Party Beer Tent Volunteers
Position Description: The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Post-Race Party is the runner celebration that follows the conclusion of the 8K run in Grant Park, and features live music, food and beverages. Imerman Angels volunteers will be staffing the beer tent for the Shamrock Shuffle Post Race Party with all the tips benefitting Imerman Angels.
Number of Volunteers Needed: 160
Location: Grant Park, Chicago
Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 8:30am – 1:30pm
Qualifications: Volunteers for these roles need to be 21 years old. This opportunity is open to people not yet registered as a volunteer with Imerman Angels so friends, family, colleagues, etc., who are 21 years old, can sign up to volunteer!

To sign up to volunteer, please email imermanactive@imermanangels.org.

All volunteers will be invited to a post race celebration party at Bull and Bear on Sunday evening starting at 5pm.

Start the weekend with Imerman Angels at the Spring Fling on March 18th and finish the weekend with us at the Shamrock Shuffle!

This Russell Crowe look-alike was happy to show support for IA, gratis, at the Roman Colosseum.  Picture courtesy of me!

After a flurry of inconclusive tests following the self-discovery of a lump in my neck in June of 2007 (which my then-internist thought was a lymph node), I continued on my merry way.  Fortunately, I have an excellent dentist, who, when I called his attention to the lump at my regular cleaning in July, suggested that I see an ENT.  Unbeknownst to me, he suspected that I had lymphoma.

A CT scan quickly followed my first visit to the ENT and a definitive tumor growing in my parotid gland was identified.  Surgery took place in September by Dr. Richard Arden, an outstanding ENT possessing additional skills as a plastic surgeon. Epithelial myoepithelial cancer (fortunately, stage one) was lurking in that tumor.  So NOT what I was expecting to hear!

While waiting for the recommended seven weeks of radiation treatments to commence, I read an article about Imerman Angels in my school’s Tradition magazine. Just what the “doctor ordered!”  I quickly sent off an email and, to my surprise – a GOOD one, this time, – I received, in typical Jonny fashion, an email written all in caps!  Jon was a former student of mine (an intervening name change prevented my initial recognition of this fact)!!  That was the turning point for me to begin to feel like this journey was going to turn out okay.

Jon paired me with a parotid gland cancer survivor named Tim.  He was truly an angel as he guided me through my fear of the treatment side effects, which were the “icing” on the dark spot in my heart.  I had CANCER!  The underlying message of all of Tim’s tips for dealing with the sore throat, lesions in my mouth, dry mouth, loss of taste, nausea, etc., was HOPE!  He was my beacon in the darkest of days.  If he came through this journey, safe on the other side, I could do it, too!

I just “passed” my two year MRI a couple of weeks ago – stable.  Who would have ever thought that those six letters could hold such meaning?  Miles Levin was a young man who could not overcome his own battle with cancer –rhabdosarcoma.  However, during his journey, he started a blog, read by legions of faithful followers, myself included.  He even appeared on Anderson Cooper’s show.  Miles said that “cancer is an ugly blessing.”  That phrase resonated with me then and still does now.  It allowed me to see the blessings that came with my diagnosis and trip through cancer world.

As I now mentor other cancer fighters as a volunteer through Imerman Angels, I often find blessings in the new friendships I make and through the powerful, powerful connection of survivor to fighter.  I would have NEVER experienced this intensity of association with another person were it not for the cancer which led me to Jon and his INCREDIBLE organization.  Thank you, Jon, for the gift you have given to all of us.  I love you!

This week, a very interesting couple from California contacted the office.

The couple was a classic victim of the dwindling economy. Two college educated individuals, both lost their jobs and in turn, fell behind in their mortgage payments and found themselves homeless.  One day, while getting food at the local soup kitchen, there just happened to be a medical van outside. The woman was suffering a bit of what she thought was sciatia pain. They stopped at the medical van and found out (after a lot of tests) that she had advanced cervical and ovarian cancer.  Immediately, fear set in. How were they going to get help?  They were jobless and homeless.  Luckily, Kaiser Permanente Hospital agreed to treat them pro-bono given their situation. A person who deals with homelessness situations found a way to get them put up, for a few weeks in a local motel. Another individual stepped up and paid for a few more but their time, at the hotel, is coming to an end soon.

This woman is facing 5 weeks of radiation followed by chemo, with no sign of  housing in their near future. The amazing thing is that they are not bitter or angry at all. They continue to keep their sense of humor by finding humor in almost every situation that they encounter. They thank the homelessness  for finding the cancer. They truly believe, that if they did not end up on the street, they would have never discovered the cancer.

Imerman Angels was able to connect them to an amazing survivor who underwent a similar cancer story. We also referred them to many other resources through our cancer partner organizations, as well as personal connections that Jonny has in California.

This is an amazing example of true grit and determination and the will to live. A testimonial to the great gifts of the universe and seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Life is a beautiful gift, no matter how that gift is wrapped whether it be in fancy, shiny foil wrapping or a plain paper bag.

Lisa
Imerman Angels
Connection Specialist

Dealing with cancer is tough, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.  Responding to this, Wind River of Western North Carolina has developed cancer wellness retreats that help those who are facing cancer to relax and feel refreshed!  These retreats are for men and women interested in learning ways to better manage their energy and stress, open their hearts, and connect with others that are dealing with similar issues.

Retreats are free!  There is no charge to participants, to allow guests to focus on healing, rather than economic concerns. Individual donations make this possible!

If you are looking to slow down, relax, try new things, or possibly reset your outlook, visit their website for many more details (www.WindRiverServices.com)  and contact Wind River for an application. (info@windriverservices.com)

Retreat Dates: April 15 – 18th and May 6 -9th.