Find a Mentor Angel
Real people. Real connections. Honest conversations.
Through our unique matching process, Imerman Angels partners individuals seeking cancer support with a Mentor Angel – a fighter, survivor, previvor or caregiver – who has been in their shoes. Mentor Angels are trained volunteers who provide a safe, nurturing space for asking questions, laughing, crying and sharing. This personalize support is offered at no cost to ensure that no one faces cancer alone.
Getting matched with your
Mentor Angel begins here.
Step #1
Complete an online registration
The first step is completing our detailed registration form. This gives us a great starting place from which to launch our search. Subsequent steps in our process will help us narrow things further, but it all starts with clicking the button below.
Step #2
Speak with one of our Cancer Support Specialist
During registration you will schedule an assessment with one of our Cancer Support Specialists. This assessment allows us to learn more about you and the particular support you’re looking for. While most assessments are done by phone, we can accommodate various abilities, timezones and other restrictions by performing your assessment via a different platform (e.g. video conference, text, email, etc.).
Step #3
Meet your new Mentor Angel
Once a mentor has been identified, and your matched finalized, we introduce you to your new Mentor Angel.
Support is also available for caregivers.
If you are the caregiver or loved one of someone with cancer we offer support for you through a Caregiver Mentor Angel. We define caregivers as anyone supporting and caring for a parent, spouse, partner, child, sibling, family member, friend, etc. with a cancer diagnosis. If you would like to be matched with a Caregiver Mentor Angel with an experience similar to yours click the button below.
Attention Social Workers
If you have any questions about our availability for a match, or would like details about how we can partner to service your clients, please use the button below to discover all the ways we can help.
Support Seeker FAQs
What is the process of matching a Mentee to a Mentor Angel?
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.
How are potential Mentor Angels screened and trained?
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.
How long does it take for someone to get connected to a Mentor Angel?
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.
What happens if Imerman Angels can’t find a match for a certain diagnosis or match preference?
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.
Are there topics that Mentors and Mentees should avoid?
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.
Does Imerman Angels provide services to those living outside of the United States?
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.
What type of questions do Mentees (cancer fighters, previvors and caregivers) ask their Mentor Angels? What issues are commonly discussed?
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.
Can I still apply to be a Mentee if I have special needs or a disability?
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.
Can Imerman Angels help the friends and family of cancer fighters?
Yes! Under our caregiver program anyone (parents, siblings, children or friends of a cancer fighter) can request the support of a Caregiver Mentor Angel
As a Previvor, will I be matched to someone with a genetic mutation that has already had cancer?
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.
Can I get support for being high risk for cancer without having a known genetic mutation?
Of course, we will still match you to a Mentor Angel with as close of an experience as we are able.
I was previously a Mentee. Can I become a Mentor Angel?
Absolutely! You can register to become a mentor through our website or by calling us directly at (866)-IMERMAN (463-7626).
Does Imerman Angels support fighters who have entered hospice?
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.