Meet Jonny Imerman

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jonny Imerman. Jonny was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Sandy Ciaramitaro.

Jonny, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Jonny Imerman and brother Jeff Imerman co-founded CLOZTALK in 2017 to solve 2 social problems: 1) non-profits and social causes struggle to raise awareness, and 2) too few people wear charity-branded apparel. CLOZTALK sells quality charity-branded apparel online at CLOZTALK.com for nearly 500 US-based charities. The goal: help nonprofits brand themselves and grow their support base. CLOZTALK sells charity-branded t-shirts, hats, hoodies, etc. It’s full-service—no cost (free) and no work required for charities. CLOZTALK.com: where 1) nonprofits apply for membership and 2) people find, learn, & buy their favorite charity logo swag.

Jonny Imerman is a young adult cancer survivor who founded Imerman Angels, a non-profit organization that connects a cancer fighter (or caregiver) with someone who has fought and survived the same cancer. Here is the story:

At 26 years old in 2001, Jonny was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  After doctors surgically removed one of his testicles, he did five months of chemotherapy and became cancer-free. But almost a year later, four tumors popped up again near his spine. After another surgery, an 11-inch incision, and three months of recovery, Jonny was back in remission.

During his cancer fight, he realized what needed to change in the cancer world. Despite loving support from family and friends, he was unable to find a cancer survivor like him. Jonny wondered: “What if every cancer fighter could talk to a cancer survivor, who not only had beaten the same type of cancer, but who also was around the same age and gender as the fighter?” The cancer survivor would be an angel ⎯ walking, living proof that the fighter could win too. That amazing connection would provide inspiration, knowledge, and hope. This is why he created Imerman Angels.

Imerman Angels carefully matches and pairs up a person touched by cancer (a cancer fighter or survivor) with someone who has fought and survived the same type of cancer (a Mentor Angel). Cancer caregivers (spouses, parents, children and other family and friends of fighters) also receive 1-on-1 connections with other caregivers and survivors. These 1-on-1 relationships inspire hope and offer the chance to ask personal questions and receive support from someone who is uniquely familiar with the experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world. Today, Imerman Angels has more than 10,000 cancer survivors and more than 3,000 caregivers in its network.

Imerman Angels was chosen as “Top 25 Most Innovative Programs of 2015” by National Journal / Atlantic Media, Haute Living’s #1 Charity in Chicago in 2010; Chicago Scene’s #1 Charity in Chicago in 2010; Chicago Scene’s #1 Charity in Chicago in 2008; and Chicago Social’s #1 Charity in Chicago in 2007. Imerman Angels has been featured by The Wall Street Journal, Harpo Radio’s “Oprah and Friends” with Dr. Oz, CNN, TEDx, The Huffington Post, Men’s Health, National Public Radio (NPR), Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s “Doctor Radio” – Channel 81, NBC Chicago News, CBS Chicago News, ABC Chicago News, WGN Chicago News, FOX Chicago News, FOX Detroit News, ESPN Radio Chicago, WJR Radio Detroit, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, Detroit Free Press, HOUR Detroit, LIVESTRONG Quarterly, CancerToday, CURE Magazine, Oncology Nursing News, Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, and Nonprofit Chicago Magazine.

Jonny received a 2015 Michigan Avenue Magazine ‘Chicago’s Leading Men’ Award; 2015 ‘The 100’ Award from Mass General Cancer Center; 2012 CNN Hero Award; 2012 Salute of Gratitude from The City Council of Chicago; 2012 Lincoln Park Young Professionals ‘Chicago Best of The Best’ Award; 2011 Twilight Foundation Detroit’s Civic Leadership Award; 2012 Susan G. Komen ‘Pink Tie Guy’ Award; 2011 Chicago Social Magazine’s ‘Who is Chicago’ Award; 2010 Jefferson Award for Public Service; 2010 University of Michigan Humanitarian Service Award; 2009 Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults ‘Hope Award’; and 2007 Daily Candy ‘Sweetest Thing’ Award.

Jonny has been invited to speak at cancer centers such as MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Mayo Clinic, Dana-Farber, City of Hope, Northwestern, Rush, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; and companies such as Google, LinkedIn “Speaker Series”, Salesforce/Dreamforce, Walgreens, UBS, Discover, Hyatt, Steelcase, @Properties, Peapod, Relativity, 1871, TechWeek, and Free The Children’s “We Day” (18k youth).

ABOUT JONNY IMERMAN:
Jonny was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1975. When just a baby, his parents divorced, and he moved to Bloomfield Hills, a suburb of Detroit.  He attended Cranbrook Kingswood School from kindergarten through high school.  After graduation, he moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Jonny earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan. After college, he returned to the Detroit area. He worked during the day while earning an MBA from Wayne State University at night when he was diagnosed.

Jonny serves on the boards of: Imerman Angels, Above & Beyond Family Recovery Center, Lorenzo’s House, Pickles, Chicago Leadership Alliance, and REELabilities Film Festival.

Imerman Angels has been a federally registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization since 2006.

Jonny Imerman
CLOZTALK.com
ImermanAngels.org
jonny@CLOZTALK.com
C: 312-307-4948

We’ve heard great things about your organization. For our readers who might not be as familiar, can you please tell them about the organization?
CLOZTALK sells the coolest, best fitting, eco-conscious (we’re a B Corp!) logo clothing for nearly 500 NONPROFITS… all at www.CLOZTALK.com. We inspire people to wear the logo of their FAVORITE NONPROFIT.. at the gym.. at a show.. at a game.. & spread the word!

Sandy Ciaramitaro and The Good Eggs Foundation have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Sandy Ciaramitaro and The Good Eggs Foundation and your experience with them.
Sandy Mals and her husband Mark are both awesome!

Both run great nonprofits.. talk about a great family! 🙂

Sandy founded The Good Eggs Foundation to PROVIDE GOODS, SERVICES, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED– in Michigan.

Sandy also created The Good Eggs Book series to empower and guide children on positive values and beyond.

Also, book sales fund the nonprofit, The Good Eggs Foundation.

Sandy is passionate about helping kids…

And has all the positive energy and passion to do it– everyday!

Everyone should check out TheGoodEggs.org and hope that you get involved!

Website: www.thegoodeggs.org