GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Phone Buddy program began in the early 1990s. Thanks to the many volunteers who give their time to speak with others about their own lung cancer experience, it is still going strong today. The program connects people diagnosed with lung cancer and their loved ones with other lung cancer patients, survivors and caregivers who have walked similar paths to learn and grow from one another’s experiences. In some cases, they also form beautiful, long-term friendships.  

Two such members of the Phone Buddy program, Jan Maharam and Irene Stempler, were first matched as buddies in July 2020. Jan first participated in the program as a Phone Buddy match following her stage 2B (IIB) NSCLC diagnosis in August 2019. After her own positive experience of connecting with another patient over chemotherapy, Jan decided to become a Phone Buddy herself.  

“People with cancer have so many fears,” she shared, “and I like to help them feel heard. When you have lung cancer you feel so alone, especially if you don’t have a support group in your area. I like to let people know they are not alone because I’ve been there too.”  

After completing Phone Buddy orientation, Jan was paired with her first Phone Buddy match, Irene. Irene was diagnosed with stage 2B (IIB) NSCLC in January 2020 and called GO2’s Helpline. She wanted to be matched with a Phone Buddy who had experience with surgery, chemotherapy and taking Tagrisso – all things that Jan had personally experienced, too. “Our experiences were so similar,” Irene said. “It was nice to talk to someone who had been through the same treatments and who had similar experiences to what I was having.” 

As their relationship grew, the two women became a support system for each other beyond their lung cancer experiences. Irene’s husband was ill at the time of her diagnosis and passed away while Irene was in treatment. Jan offered support to Irene during this challenging time, both to talk about what she was facing with lung cancer as well as her grief over her husband’s passing. Jan also shared with Irene personal challenges she went through. “Life challenges don’t stop just because you have cancer,” Jan said. “[Irene and I] have both gone through personal ups and down and we have bonded during those times.” 

In March 2022, Irene decided to also become a Phone Buddy volunteer and has been a wonderful addition to the program ever since. “Jan was an immense help to me, and I want to help others like she helped me,” Irene said. Between the two of them, they have provided support to 16 people through the program. 

Jan and Irene continue to keep in touch since their match in 2020 and even met in person at the end of last year. “It was so nice,” Irene said. “It felt like we were school friends who had closed a circle by meeting in person.” Not all Phone Buddies have the opportunity to meet in person or remain in contact over time, but sometimes friendships like this blossom through the program.  

Thanks to Jan, Irene and all of our Phone Buddies. If you would like to learn more about being connected to a Phone Buddy or becoming a Phone Buddy volunteer, click here to learn more about the program.