Frequently Asked Questions

After a Mentee schedules an appointment, a Cancer Support Specialist will reach out to the Mentee to learn about their unique experiences, including diagnosis, treatment history, age, and personal preferences. Based on this information, the specialist searches through our database of trained Mentor Angels to identify someone with a similar lived experience.

Once a potential match is identified, the Cancer Support Specialist facilitates the introduction between the Mentor Angel and the Mentee. From there, the pair decides how and when they would like to communicate based on what feels most comfortable for the Mentee.

Potential Mentor Angels register online or by phone and complete a detailed profile about their personal cancer, caregiving, or genetic mutation experience, including demographic, diagnosis, treatment history information, and impact of the diagnosis. After registration, they complete an online training module that prepares them to provide supportive, encouraging mentorship. After this, Mentor Angels can begin being matched to Mentees.

After completing the assessment, the Mentee can expect to be matched to a Mentor Angels between 2 days and 2 weeks. Each Support Seeker’s request is unique and varies in the length of time it takes to connect them to their perfect Mentor Angel. If there are delays past this time frame, a Cancer Support Specialist will touch base with the Mentee to keep them updated on the progress of their search for a Mentor Angel.

Imerman Angels maintains the world’s largest database of cancer survivors and caregivers dedicated to providing one-on-one support. While we’re typically able to find a strong match within our community, there are rare instances when an appropriate match isn’t immediately available. In those cases, we extend our search by reaching out to our network of trusted cancer partner organizations. We will keep you informed of any delays and may also see if you’re open to broadening your match criteria to help us find the best possible support.

We ask that topics such as politics and religion are avoided. We understand religion can play a large part in some individual's experiences, and, in those cases, we can do our best to match a Mentee to a Mentor who shares their faith. Additionally, our Mentor Angels will not provide direct medical advice.

Yes. Imerman Angels is available to cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers facing any type or stage of cancer, anywhere in the world. We also welcome individuals at any point in their cancer journey.

While we are based in Chicago and supported by a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and a large global network of Mentor Angels, we do our best to provide meaningful one-on-one matches internationally. In some cases, such as with very rare diagnoses or language differences, it may be more challenging to find an exact match, but we will always work within our network and resources to provide the closest possible support.

Conversation topics widely vary but might include: preventative scans and procedures, pain issues, what treatments and side effects feel like, experience navigating the medical system, support from family and friends, relationships, dating, sex, fertility, children, tips on how to cope with side effects, advocacy advice, life issues that surround dealing with cancer, diet and exercise, etc.

Mentor Angels never dispense any medical advice or try to diagnose a medical problem.

If you need special assistance, please contact us and we will work with you to get you the support you need. Accessiblity and accomodations, such as video or email assessments, during registration are also available.

Yes! Under our caregiver program anyone (parents, siblings, children or friends of a cancer fighter) can request the support of a Caregiver Mentor Angel

Usually, we do our best to match Previvors to Previvor Mentors (those who have not had a cancer diagnosis). However, if you wish to speak to someone who has had a cancer diagnosis due to a genetic mutation, we will do our best to fulfill that request.

Of course, we will still match you to a Mentor Angel with as close of an experience as we are able.

Absolutely! You can register to become a mentor through our website or by calling us directly at (866)-IMERMAN (463-7626).

Unfortunately, our mentorship program is not be an appropriate resource for those who have entered hospice care.  Our Mentor Angels offer support by sharing their lived experiences, but they are not trained to navigate or provide guidance around hospice care. Please click here to download resources you may find helpful during hospice care.

That said, we can provide support for your family members, friends, or loved ones acting as caregivers for you.  If they are interested in connecting with a Caregiver Mentor Angel who has walked a similar path, please direct them to register with us.

Mentor Angels are encouraged to contact one of our Cancer Support Specialists if they are experiencing extenuating circumstances of any kind. If a Mentor Angel is no longer available to provide support to a Mentee, our Cancer Support Specialists will help find a supportive and appropriate solution.

Everyone's experiences are unique. We have Mentor Angels in all stages of their cancer or caregiving journey. It just depends on when an individual feels emotionally ready and available to volunteer their time as a Mentor Angel. We work on a case-by-case basis with each cancer fighter, survivor, previvor, and/or caregiver.

If you feel that you are ready to give back and support the cancer community, you might be ready to be a Mentor Angel! If you have questions, you can always reach out to us and our Cancer Support Specialists will help determine if being a Mentor Angels is right for you at that time.

Mentor Angels complete a detailed, confidential profile outlining their cancer experience, including demographic information, diagnosis, treatment history, and impact. Each applicant is screened and trained by Imerman Angels staff to ensure they are prepared to provide supportive, peer-based guidance.

Once approved, Mentor Angels are added to the matching database and contacted when a suitable match arises based on a Mentee’s specific needs and preferences. After being matched, each relationship is unique and guided by open, honest communication, with the level of time and engagement determined by what best supports the Mentee and the Mentor's availability.

You can support Imerman Angels by following us on social media and spreading our mission, making a donation, or by signing up for volunteer opportunities (either in-person or remotely).

Yes! To refer someone, please send them to our website or have them call us directly at (866)-IMERMAN (463-7626).

You can join our mailing list and follow us on your favorite social media platform (see linked icons at bottom of this page). We often post updates, so keep in touch!

If you feel that your Mentee requires more support than you are able to provide, please contact a Cancer Support Specialist ASAP so that we can work with you and the Mentee to find the best resolution, whether that be providing an additional mentor to the Mentee or referring them to other resources or support services.

Yes! We welcome all Previvor Mentors at any stage of their journey, regardless of if they have sought out prophylactic treatment or not. All experiences are valid and helpful.

Yes, more than one caregiver from the same family can register for a mentor. Although they are supporting the same loved one, each caregiver’s experience, responsibilities, and emotional journey can be very different. Providing individual support ensures that each person receives guidance and connection that reflects their unique needs.

Absolutely! We can match you with a Mentor Angel or Support Seeker who was also a secondary caregiver, and whose experience(s) align with yours.

Yes, you can still register to be a caregiver mentor if your loved one has passed. Many caregivers find that their experience continues to shape their perspective long after loss, and that insight can be incredibly meaningful to others who are currently navigating caregiving. Your lived experience can offer understanding, compassion, and guidance to those who need it.

No, you do not need to live (or have lived) with your loved one to register for support or to become a Caregiver Mentor Angel. Caregiving can take many forms, including providing support from a distance. Whether you were involved in day to day care or offered emotional, logistical, or long distance support, your experience is valid and can be incredibly valuable to someone going through similar circumstances.

We support all types of caregiving relationships. This includes parents caring for children and children caring for parents, spouses or partners, siblings, friends, and more. No matter the relationship, we strive to make meaningful matches based on shared experiences.

If you are a former Support Seeker and you’re ready to give back to the community, you might be ready to be a Caregiver Mentor Angel! Register to become a mentor by click the button at the top this page or calling 866-IMERMAN (463-7626).

Yes, we have Mentor Angels who speak a wide variety of languages. Please contact us for specific language requests.

For questions specific to social workers, please view https://imermanangels.org/discover-campaign/

If you have any questions about our availability for a match, or have specific details about what a Mentee is looking for, please contact us here on our website or call us at 866-IMERMAN (463-7626)

Donations can be made here at our website, or sent via mail to:

Imerman Angels
2001 N. Halsted St., Suite 302,
Chicago, Illinois 60614

Contact our Director of Development by calling 866-IMERMAN (463-7626) and press "6" from the menu.

Unfortunately, neither Imerman Angels nor our Mentor Angel volunteers provide financial support to Support Seekers that register with us. Please download our Cancer Resource Directory for a list cancer support organizations that offer financial assistance.

Donations directly help us accomplish the mission. Funds help us hire and train Cancer Support Specialists, conduct outreach to cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers, and build tools and resources that make one-on-one cancer support more effective and efficient.

Team Imerman Angels is a group of individuals who participate in events including 5K's, 10K’s, half marathons, marathons, triathlons, cycling events or literally any type of event that they are interested in. Through these events, participants increase awareness of Imerman Angels and raise much needed funds to enable Imerman Angels to provide its services and continue our mission of ensuring no one faces cancer on their own. 

Team Imerman Angels provides a guaranteed entry to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, Cape Town Marathon, TCS Sydney Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, BMW Berlin Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon and also pays the entry fee for the race. In addition, Team IA also provides training for these events as well.

Our list of events is constantly evolving and being added to.  Click here for the full listing of the current events, or call us at 866-IMERMAN (463-7672).

You can support Imerman Angels through the Any Race, Any Sport, Anywhere program and select any event that interests you, or you can create your own event. You'll receive a customizeable online fundraising page that you can send to your supporters.