On Sunday, March 6th, Shantel Cogman of Irvington enjoyed a one-of-a-kind experience at the Prudential Center as the New Jersey Devils defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in OT.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, Cogman completed her chemotherapy treatments while ringing the bell late last year on her 37th birthday.
Alongside her husband Anthony, Cogman was invited to cheer on her favorite hockey team, the New Jersey Devils, and the special experience included a Pre-game virtual meet & greet with her favorite player, Dawson Mercer; a Zamboni ride during the 2nd-period intermission on the specially fitted Fan Zam; and a visit from the popular team mascot.
In 2021 Cogman, the mother of 4 boys, Cordé (13), Evan (9), Anthony Jr (6), and Shawn (3), was breastfeeding her youngest when she noticed a lump on her breast that did not go away.
She went to the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Breast Health Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for a mammogram and was recommended to have a biopsy.
The test determined that she had a triple-positive HER2 tumor and further genetic testing revealed that she had the BRCA2 gene.
Cogman started chemotherapy treatment in July of 2021 at the Frederick B. Cohen, MD, Comprehensive Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility and a clinical component of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
She was under the care of its former Medical Director, hematologist/oncologist Alice J. Cohen, MD., and every step of the way, the passionate team of medical experts took care of Shantel while making sure she fully understood her condition and the treatment plan.
Shantel saw the philanthropic aspect of participating in a clinical trial. She believed that being in a clinical trial will benefit her and will help contribute to finding better ways to treat cancer in the future.
She also spoke with another woman recently diagnosed with breast cancer who was nervous about receiving chemotherapy and looks forward to doing more to pay it forward and help others.
For this special experience, the Cogman’s were joined by Dr. Sari Jacoby, the current Medical Director of the Frederick B. Cohen, MD, Comprehensive Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
Cogman’s positive attitude is contagious, and it was a treat to watch her enjoy the Devils victory.
Photo Credit: RWJBarnabas Health