When I was first diagnosed with nasal cancer (specifically, nasal septal squamous cell carcinoma—an extremely rare cancer that accounts for less than 1% of all head and neck malignancies), I knew I was about to walk a road most people couldn’t begin to imagine. Even with a supportive circle of family, friends, and an extraordinary care team, there were still long stretches of this journey that felt… isolating. Like trying to describe a nightmare to someone who’s only ever had good dreams.
Radiation. A total rhinectomy. Reconstructive surgeries. Emotional whiplash. I was trying to prepare myself for a version of life—and of myself—that I had never considered. And while I was surrounded by people who cared deeply, the weight of what I was facing was mine alone to carry.
Then I met Ben.
In a hidden corner of the internet, my friend found his tragically hilarious and perfectly written blog detailing his own experience: medium.com/@murray.benjamin2. He had already lived the exact nightmare I was bracing for. So I reached out, nervously explaining what I was about to face. Without hesitation, he offered his number—and just like that, he became my mentor in the strange, wonky world of noselessness.
He didn’t just understand the medical side—he understood me. When the nose came off, he knew what it was like to mourn your old face. To laugh darkly at yourself and at well-meaning strangers. To swing between strength and sorrow in the span of a breath. And most importantly, he was and still is a constant reminder—just a phone call away—that there is an end to what I’m going through. That I will survive the waiting. The radiation. The tissue expanders. The reconstruction. His presence is proof that life goes on. That you can build something new from the pieces.
He’s become more than a guide; at times, he serves as a lifeline. He’s a friend when I don’t feel like anyone else gets it. And a reassuring “no, that’s not weird” when I have nothing else to measure my progress against. His dry wit, steady presence, and ability to normalize even the strangest moments have helped me stay grounded through the most disorienting and surreal parts of this journey.
I will value his friendship for as long as I live.
So when I finally reached a steadier place in my recovery, it felt inevitable: I wanted to be that person for someone else. The way Ben showed up for me—I wanted to offer that same lifeline to the next person staring down the unknown.
Because when you’ve lived through something that fractures your identity, your reflection, your daily rhythms—it changes you. And for many of us, that change comes with a deep need to make the pain mean something. To turn it into purpose. To be the voice on the other end of the line whispering, “You’re not alone. I’ve been there. And you’re going to make it.”
That’s why I’m so proud to officially announce that I’ve become an Imerman Angel Mentor.
What is Imerman Angels?
Imerman Angels is a nonprofit organization rooted in one simple, powerful belief: no one should face cancer alone. They offer free, one-on-one support by personally matching individuals (patients, survivors, and caregivers) with someone who’s walked a remarkably similar path—a “Mentor Angel” who understands not just the diagnosis, but the emotional terrain that comes with it.
These aren’t just matches based on cancer type. They’re personalized, human-centered connections. People are paired based on age, gender, lifestyle, treatment path, identity, and more. Because being seen and heard in the most vulnerable moments matters.
And Imerman doesn’t just serve patients. They support:
- Patients currently facing cancer
- Caregivers, family, and friends of those diagnosed
- Survivors navigating post-treatment life
- Previvors with genetic risk factors for cancer
It’s compassionate. It’s free. And it’s entirely built on peer connection.
How You Can Get Involved
If you’re facing cancer or supporting someone who is:
You don’t have to do it alone. You can be matched with a Mentor Angel who understands your specific diagnosis and journey. Request a mentor here.
If you’ve been through it and want to give back:
Whether you’re a survivor, caregiver, or someone with a loved one who faced cancer, you can offer support to someone now walking the same path. Learn how to become a Mentor Angel here.
If you want to support the mission:
From donations to virtual and in-person events, there are so many ways to help Imerman Angels continue offering life-changing support. Get involved or donate here.
Becoming a mentor isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about showing up—honestly, vulnerably, and wholeheartedly—for someone who needs a little less darkness and a little more hope.
That’s what Ben did for me.
And now, I’m ready to do the same.
