Name: Bob
Angel Type: Survivor
Cancer: Prostate
Date Type: Radiation seed implant

Date: 1/15/2007

Why is this date special to you?
This was the day I began to be a cancer survivor rather than a cancer victim. I had been diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving (11/22/06-another significant date). That made for a tough holiday season. But with the procedure and great doctors, January 15 was a new start to a whole new life. With the prospect of surviving, every day became a new opportunity and a new thanksgiving. From that day my life is richer and I take nothing for granted.
Is there something special that you do each year to honor or celebrate this date?
I say a prayer to myself and express my gratitude for each day. I think how when you hear your own name and “cancer” used in the same sentence; it stops you in your tracks no matter who you are. The day reminds me that life is precious. Your family and friends are precious. Life is for living, not for sleepwalking and is not a caffeinated, multi-tasking frenzy. People are important, not things. Slow down.
Why did you choose to share this date with Imerman Angels?
I learned about Imerman Angels after I was already on the road to recovery. It would have been great to have had access to it from the time I was diagnosed. I had great doctors and family support, but I never spoke to someone who had been through the same experience. This organization provides a much-needed service to families touched by cancer. No one should go through this alone and I want Imerman Angels to grow so that no one has to.
What is a lesson your experience or your loved ones experience with cancer has taught you?
I think of the expression that “man plans and God laughs”. As much as we think we control our lives, it simply isn’t completely true. Although we make choices, much is out of our control. Cancer makes us humble and makes us realize the gift of life is to be treasured each day. The whole world is in the same boat. Let’s be kind to our shipmates.

This blog post is a part of the Imerman Angels “What’s Your Date?” Campaign, honoring & celebrating cancer stories.

#WhatsYourDate

Whatsyourdate.org

Name: Hector
Angel Type: Survivor
Cancer: Head & Neck
Date Type: Last Day of Treatments

Date: 5/18/2012

Why is this date special to you?
It was the beginning of a new life for me.  I felt like a champion after going through chemo and radiation treatments.  I felt more thankful as I never felt before. It was a very special day for us.

Is there something special that you do each year to honor or celebrate this date?
This year is going to be my first year as a survivor. I am planning to celebrate by calling all of my love ones that supported me through my fight and thank them for all the love I felt through me from them.

Why did you choose to share this date with Imerman Angels?
Because when I needed the most support, IA was there for me.  My Angel showed me that there WILL be a tomorrow.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you or your loved ones journey with cancer?
I read once that anyone can slay a dragon, but trying to wake up every morning and loving the world all over again… that’s what takes a real hero.  This is what I think about every cancer survivor.

This blog post is a part of the Imerman Angels “What’s Your Date?” Campaign, honoring & celebrating cancer stories.

#WhatsYourDate

Whatsyourdate.org

Caitlin’s Story

Angel Type: Survivor

Cancer: Rhabdomyosarcoma

Date Type: Diagnosis

Date: 6/28/2012

Why is this date special to you?
On June 28th, 1996 I was finishing packing for my godmother’s wedding, in which I was supposed to be a junior bridesmaid. I suddenly had trouble catching my breath. This had been happening more frequently the last few days so my dad decided to take me into the walk in clinic to check it out. 1 ambulance, 1 helicopter ride and 2 hospitals later, they discovered that my respiratory infection was actually a football sized tumor that had collapsed my right lung and was beginning to press against my trachea. For my entire family and I, June 28th marked the day we first begin my battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. After I finished treatment, the date became so much more to me. It’s a milestone marker I use to measure how far I’ve come.

Is there something special that you do each year to honor or celebrate this date?
Initially, I thought nothing good could happen on June 28th, and spent my first two “cancerversaries” hiding in bed. My older sister eventually got tired of this and decided that we needed to start creating some happy memories to associate with this date.  It has become a day I celebrate how far I’ve come and how incredibly lucky I’ve been.  My three sisters and I are the main celebrators of the day, with celebrations ranging from Abba cover band concerts to cancerversary parties. Traditions such as “Happy I’m alive day” cakes, to silly t-shirts with embarrassing photos of me as a little kid (the first being a picture of me in a teenage mutant ninja turtle costume with the slogan “Kicking cancer since ’96″).

What is a lesson your experience or your loved ones experience with cancer has taught you?
Not everyone has to face cancer, but we are all going to have tough times, bad days and “why me?” moments….but having cancer taught me that scars don’t break you down, they make you stronger, bad days don’t last forever and that you usually don’t notice the generous and amazing people in the world until times are tough.

This blog post is a part of the Imerman Angels “What’s Your Date?” Campaign, honoring & celebrating cancer stories.

#WhatsYourDate?

www.whatsyourdate.org

Have you purchased your IMERMAN ANGELS SPRING LAUNCH ticket yet?  Join us  on Sunday, April 22, from 4 – 8 pm at Moe’s Cantina in River North, as we celebrate and recognize all of our cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers, as well as all of those that have joined alongside in the cancer battle!!!  In addition to food and beverages provided by Protein Bar , Imerman Cake Company, and 4 Rebels Vodka, guests can enter into a raffle for exciting sports, fitness, hospitality and spa packages.

For more information and to purchase your pre-sale ticket, please click on the following link!  http://iaspringlaunch.eventbrite.com/

Please take a moment to visit our incredible sponsors and thank them for their commitment to the Imerman Angels mission:

Moe’s Cantina – http://www.moescantina.com/

Protein Bar -  http://www.proteinbarchicago.com/

Imerman Cake Company - http://www.imermancake.com/

4 Rebels Vodka –   http://4rebels.com/

Thank you for your interest in Imerman Angels and continuing to ensure that no one fights cancer alone!

With the 2012 Team Imerman fundraising up and running, we wanted to take a moment to share the story of one of Team Imerman’s runners.

At the age of 31, John Crowley was diagnosed and treated for a tumor in his lung. John was lucky enough to undergo a successful surgery that removed the tumor, which resulted in his recovery and four year remission.

While John was fortunate enough to have great family and friends support him during his battle with cancer, he wishes he would’ve had someone to talk who had been going through the same thing.

“After working in the oncology industry for over 10 years and contacting doctors all over the country, I couldn’t find one person who had experienced the same type of cancer that I had,” John recalls.

This is why John feels strongly about the mission of Imerman Angels. He recognizes the need for cancer patients to be able to connect with others who have gone down the same path and survived. With this mission in mind, John is inspired to raise money and run with Team Imerman.

On February 11, 2012 John celebrated his fourth year of remission by wearing the Team Imerman jersey and competing in “The Toughest Event on the Planet”, the Tough Mudder Race in Atlanta.

John’s positive attitude and efforts to give back are what make him the perfect advocate for Imerman Angels and we are proud to have him on our team!