Community Magazine May 2019

34 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE DJ’s Phenomenal Support System Having the most amazing family and friends, and meeting more throughout his journey, a strong support team was built around DJ. This team became his inner circle, and they refer to themselves as “Team Deej.” Team Deej did things for DJ such as individually taking turns escorting DJ and sitting with him through chemotherapy treatments, taking him to doctor appointments, running errands, going for walks with him, or just hanging out with him. The team also set out to spread DJ’s positive message of hope, and helped to uplift others. This team was galvanized by their involvement with such a tough ordeal, but this only made their friendship and bonds stronger. “DJ embedded in all of us his way of thinking, the way to live life to the fullest,” said Terry Nigri, a friend of DJ’s and a dedicated member of Team Deej. “He would remind us that every day we should be thankful, present, and aware. It was more than just words to him, he would lead by example. This is how DJ treated each day he was gifted.” DJ Cohen was diagnosed February 27, 2015 at 3:00pm with stage four pancreatic cancer. This is regarded as one of the most severe types of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for people with stage four pancreatic cancer is approximately 1%. The first doctor DJ went to told him he had three months to live, and to get his affairs in order. The second doctor said pretty much the same thing. The third doctor said, “I can say whatever I want, but at the end of the day it’s all in the hands of Hashem.” That’s the one who DJ chose to be his doctor. If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to hear DJ address a crowd, you know that after he was diagnosed, he would start every speech with the exact date and time he was diagnosed with cancer, February 27, 2015 at 3:00pm. The astounding thing is that exactly four years later, on the exact date and time, he passed away, February, 27th, 2019 within the same hour. FRIEDA SCHWEKY Not All Superheroes Wear Capes, DJWore a Smile If you’d ever gotten the chance to meet David J. Cohen, a”h (known mainly as “DJ”), even briefly, you might feel comfortable enough to say you knew him. That was the greatness of DJ, whose warmth and ability to connect had such an effect on others. Whether conversing for 30 minutes with DJ or knowing him for 30+ years, you got a warm sense of friendship out of each passing interaction, that lingered with you forever. This is just one of the reasons why, when DJ Cohen passed away late this February at the age of 41, the community took a hit to the heart. “DJ embedded in all of us his way of thinking, the way to live life to the fullest.”