Community Magazine May 2019

36 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE “DJ could always sense when I was in a mood and would call me out on it. He would bother me until I told him what was up and then he helped me hash it out. That was his way. He always wanted others to be happy and content in their lives. He was full of love and compassion,” said Ruth Salama, a friend and member of Team Deej. “Some of my best memories of hanging out with DJ were during his chemo appointments at Sloan. I know we all really looked forward to them. It almost felt like a hesed we did for ourselves. Witnessing the effect he had on everyone around him was such a blessing. I consider myself very lucky to have been his friend.” DJ’s Legacy With such a magnetic personality, it was no wonder DJ had so many friends and family members that he was close with. They would cling to him, and he to them. Support is a key factor when fighting cancer, and DJ had a tremendous amount of support. “Before I knew it, I had become your sidekick, teaching everyone how to dance in the rain instead of waiting for the storm to pass,” said Cheri Srour in the letter she wrote for DJ’s arayat. “In the physical sense, I lost my best friend, my mentor, partner in crime, my brother. I never knew my heart could hurt this much. But I will be okay. Not today, not next week, or probably even next month. I’ll get there when I get there. Until then, I will fake it till I make it. I will miss you every day, but take you with me everywhere I go. I will honorably accept the baton you’ve taught me to use so well. I will continue your legacy and shine through your spirit. I will continue what you no longer can. I will forever get stronger and make you proud. I look forward to sitting in the sun, singing songs, thanking Gd for every day with you.” To see some more pictures, read DJ’s poems, and to donate to Team Deej so they can continue to spread his message, head to teamdeej.com. Some of the community members that went to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center this past April 2nd, during the second annual DJ Cohen Week. DJ dressed as a blue crayon, smiling with a physician. From then on, he resolved to make chemotherapy more fun for himself, the people he brought with him, and most importantly to DJ, for the other patients. He decided to dress up in a different loud and wacky costume each time he went for a chemo session. If he saw a fellow patient sitting alone, he would ask if he could sit beside them, in order to keep them company. At first, he would get strange looks for hisoutlandishcostumes. Many patients thought he worked for the hospital, but when they found out that he was a patient like they were, they felt very comforted. It was empowering to see someone going through something so difficult with a smile on his face, a pure heart, and an upbeat personality. A ketchup bottle, Superman, The Headless Horseman, a king, a Twister board, Spiderman, a whipped cream canister, Popeye, and a banana. These are just a few of the bright and fun characters DJ dressed up as for his chemotherapy appointments. DJ led by example, never wasting the little time he was given. He made the most out of every minute. DJ didn’t wallow in the things he could not change. He learned to turn his challenges into fuel, and he transformed something painful into something powerful. In doing so, he made others smile and reminded them how precious the gift of time is. DJ's Memory Honored In 2018, the National Cancer Association declared April 1st through April 7th DJ Cohen Week (April 7th was DJ's birthday). This is a seven-day period where everyone – patients, doctors, nurses, and visitors - wear costumes to treatment visits! This year on April 2nd, during the second annual DJ Cohen Week, Team Deej along with supporting community members went to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center dressed up in costumes to cheer people up in the waiting room of the cancer center. They made a huge kiddush Hashem and honored their dear friend's legacy as well. Some would call DJ an artist because he was a poet. Others would call him an artist because he would paint a smile on the faces of anyone and everyone he met.