Jonny Imerman

“[Jonny Immerman] is quite possibly the most well-known Chicagoan outside of the Mayor's office or United Center,” said Matt Matros, owner of Protein Bar and fellow Double Chai-er. “Jonny embodies the true spirit of giving back and solving problems. After undergoing his own personal bouts with cancer, he's made it his life to help cancer patients see the light at the end of the tunnel and become cancer survivors.”

At 26 years old, Jonny Imerman was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Jonny was lucky enough to have loving support from his family and friends but had never met anyone his age who was a cancer survivor. He wanted to talk to someone just like him, someone who truly understood, and was intimately familiar with his experience. In short, he was looking for someone who had already beaten the same type of cancer.

In 2003, Jonny founded Imerman Angels, a not-for-profit organization that connects a person fighting cancer with someone who has survived and beaten the same type of cancer. Cancer caregivers also receive one-on-one connections with other caregivers and survivors.

“Jonny is the most self-less person you will ever meet,” said Matros. “I have never met someone that cares more about connecting others, solving problems, and making people feel good about themselves than Jonny does. He's a true humanitarian and everyone needs to know how his organization can help those in need.”

Name:
Jonny Imerman

Age:
37

Relationship status:
single

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Passionate, Persistent, Active, Human and Animal Lover, Vegan, Love Exercise and Ideas

Celebrity doppelganger:
Lance Armstrong

How do you Jew in Chicago?
I Jew all over town yo!

Passions:
gym, people, ideas, LIFE, sharing

How do you give back?
Empower people with cancer every day and help them get to the finish line.

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
If time and money were limitless, I would build ideas that make the world a better place

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
PUMPIN' and THRIVIN'!!!! We Jews just keep goin!!!

Me in 10 years:
Building ideas to make the world a better place :)