Imerman Angels Recognizes World Cancer Support Month

As Imerman Angels celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2016, the organization recognizes August as #WorldCancerSupport Month. Imerman Angels�launched this campaign last year to spread awareness regarding the psychological and physiological benefits of support when coupled with excellent medical care. The ultimate goal of the campaign is to help ensure that no one ever has to face cancer alone, without the support of someone uniquely familiar with their situation.�

Since launching in 2006, Imerman Angels has become the global leader in providing personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers, as well as pairing survivors with fellow survivors -- with more than 26,000 connections made in all 50 states and more than 60 countries.

According to a Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Psychosocial Study Group, when cancer patients are diagnosed and treatment begins, the primary goal is therapeutic. Psychological, emotional and social factors tend to become secondary to immediate treatment. However, according to Dr. Timothy Pearman, Director of Supportive Oncology�at the�Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, this social and emotional support has powerful benefits when it comes to survivorship.

"As cancer has transitioned from a typically fatal disease to an often chronic, manageable one, the psychosocial supportive care needs of survivors have expanded," said Dr. Pearman. "Cancer support groups such as Imerman Angels can reduce depression and anxiety in fighters, and help them to become more active in treatment decision-making, managing side effects, interfacing with their doctors, and ultimately maximizing their quality of life during and after their cancer battle."

In a study at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center focusing on young adults diagnosed with blood cancers facing psychological trauma during and after treatment, researchers found that 23 percent of participants met the criteria for anxiety, 28 percent met the criteria for depression and 13 percent met the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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"Imerman Angels and other organizations that provide cancer support give cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers around the world an outlet to express their feelings, as well as help to inspire hope," says Ben Bornstein, three-time cancer survivor and Imerman Angels CEO and Executive Director.

On Friday, August 19, Imerman Angels will host "Stand Out Against Cancer Day," an occasion dedicated to raising awareness around the world about the importance of social and emotional support for those battling cancer. Schools, businesses, organizations and individuals alike will be encouraged to create their own Stand Out Against Cancer event to fundraise, raise awareness and help make a difference. They are also given the opportunity to have their support recognized through social media by adding #StandOutAgainstCancer to their posts.

Imerman Angels is implementing a #WorldCancerSupport hashtag during August that allows people from around the world to share their cancer stories by posting on social media channels. Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way, and together we can ensure that no one will ever have to face cancer alone.

In addition, Imerman Angels will continue their 10-year anniversary giveaways of Imerman Cakes by seeking out engaging social media posts from July through September.