Angels Among Us - Running with Chicago's Imerman Angels
Jonny Imerman isn't particularly crazy about running. Don't get me wrong, he runs, every day at dawn and double-digit miles on Saturday mornings. But he doesn't run out of love of the sport. In fact, this week his knees are a little sore.
Jonny Imerman, founder of Imerman Angels, a non-profit foundation that connects cancer fighters with cancer survivors, is training for his first marathon. Imerman Angels pairs a cancer fighter with a cancer survivor that battled the same form of cancer and won. And, as with any sport, a mentor or an angel is just what some of us need when we're feeling sore, tired, down-and-out.
Along with over one hundred of his extended Imerman Angels family, he will be taking part in the Nike+ Human Race 10K in Chicago. This event supports a cause that lives near and dear to every Angel's heart: the Lance Armstrong Foundation. You might even call Jonny our local Lance. As Jonny says, he just needs to "Find the Lance Armstrong of each type of cancer" to bring hope and understanding to every cancer fighter.
Cancer not only knocks the legs out from under you, it steals optimism and hope. For Jonny and the Imerman Angels, sport helps to bring cancer survivors together to prove to their doctors, skeptics, and themselves, that yes, they can. Jonny remembers expecting that getting back into fitness would be a snap, "like clicking in a seat belt." But, as with any beginning athlete, it was a struggle of the mind and body.
That's why he's running this morning with friends. "The camaraderie is amazing," he says. How many times have you been able to push through that wall, simply knowing that a friend has walked a mile in your shoes? It doesn't matter if you're fighting cancer or fighting sloth, knowing that someone had the passion to say "Yes, I can," gives us that extra push to get stronger, get faster, get better, and get healthier.
The Chicago Nike+ Human Race 10K is your chance to run with Angels and make a difference in the lives of people oceans away. Simply by registering for the Nike+ Human Race 10K, a portion of your registration fee will go toward the charity of your choice: the World Wildlife Fund, ninemillion.org, or the Imerman Angels' passion, the Lance Armstrong Livestrong Foundation. Every step you take, no matter how long, short, fast or slow, will be helping the cause.
Stay tuned to learn more about some of the Imerman Angels!
Jonny Imerman, founder of Imerman Angels, a non-profit foundation that connects cancer fighters with cancer survivors, is training for his first marathon. Imerman Angels pairs a cancer fighter with a cancer survivor that battled the same form of cancer and won. And, as with any sport, a mentor or an angel is just what some of us need when we're feeling sore, tired, down-and-out.
Along with over one hundred of his extended Imerman Angels family, he will be taking part in the Nike+ Human Race 10K in Chicago. This event supports a cause that lives near and dear to every Angel's heart: the Lance Armstrong Foundation. You might even call Jonny our local Lance. As Jonny says, he just needs to "Find the Lance Armstrong of each type of cancer" to bring hope and understanding to every cancer fighter.
Cancer not only knocks the legs out from under you, it steals optimism and hope. For Jonny and the Imerman Angels, sport helps to bring cancer survivors together to prove to their doctors, skeptics, and themselves, that yes, they can. Jonny remembers expecting that getting back into fitness would be a snap, "like clicking in a seat belt." But, as with any beginning athlete, it was a struggle of the mind and body.
That's why he's running this morning with friends. "The camaraderie is amazing," he says. How many times have you been able to push through that wall, simply knowing that a friend has walked a mile in your shoes? It doesn't matter if you're fighting cancer or fighting sloth, knowing that someone had the passion to say "Yes, I can," gives us that extra push to get stronger, get faster, get better, and get healthier.
The Chicago Nike+ Human Race 10K is your chance to run with Angels and make a difference in the lives of people oceans away. Simply by registering for the Nike+ Human Race 10K, a portion of your registration fee will go toward the charity of your choice: the World Wildlife Fund, ninemillion.org, or the Imerman Angels' passion, the Lance Armstrong Livestrong Foundation. Every step you take, no matter how long, short, fast or slow, will be helping the cause.
Stay tuned to learn more about some of the Imerman Angels!
