Donor Stories-Cohen

Sharon J. Cohen

Sharon Cohen’s Legacy Gift Creates Neurosciences Unit at Children’s Hospital

Sharon J. Cohen always knew that her legacy would involve children. Last August her vision became a reality when she agreed to fund the Sharon J. Cohen Pediatric Neurosciences Unit at Northwell Health-LIJ Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Sharon’s gift is a combination of an outright gift (now) and a gift in her will (later).

Growing up in Kew Gardens Hills with her older brother, Sharon was familiar with Northwell Health hospitals and has been pleased with the care she has received. Sharon earned a master’s degree in education at Queens College and taught remedial reading at the elementary school level.

Prior to Sharon’s personal gift, the Sharon J. Cohen Foundation made significant contributions to fund research at national nonprofit organizations that were dear to Sharon. Those gifts were in honor of her mother and father—who died from heart disease and stomach cancer, respectively—and in honor of close friends who suffer from kidney disease and multiple sclerosis.

Since 2000, Sharon has been a volunteer reader at the Lighthouse for the Blind and a volunteer at the Jewish Braille Institute as a director in the recording of audio books. She is also involved with the North Shore Animal League Pet Outreach Team, bringing therapy puppies to senior care centers.

When Sharon is not kicking up her heels in her role as a dancer in community theater, she travels the globe with family and friends. In the next year, she will be checking items off her bucket list as she heads to Australia, New Zealand and Africa. In the meantime, Sharon has peace of mind knowing she has personally answered the question, “What better way to make a difference than to help a child who can make a difference in the future?”