Though he often makes donations, Sandy Cohen had never led a major charitable effort before three months ago when he was nominated as one of the 20 candidates for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year.

Cohen did not let his lack of experience stop him; he took the skills he developed as vice president of sales for Union Broadcasting (Sports Radio 810 and Hot Talk 1510) and put them to use. "I help the sales people chase money all day long here, but this was the first time I’ve collected money for such a worthy cause," he says.

The fact is, Cohen is good at what he does; since starting with Union Broadcasting in 1999, Cohen has increased the department’s revenue and staff size. He used these talents to raise almost $39,000 in eight weeks and win Man of the Year.

While many people helped Cohen, he feels the radio station was his biggest supporter. "We held a sports auction at Johnny’s on 119th Street and the station really got behind me by promoting the event," he says. The auction brought in more than $28,000 by auctioning off sports memorabilia donated by individuals and station advertisers.

Additionally, Cohen personally wrote letters to friends, family, and business contacts asking for contributions.
Gary Hailes, national sales manager for Union Broadcasting and 2000 winner, was happy to see Cohen win. "It’s quite unique that he used his focus and experience in a different vein," he says. "He really threw himself into the cause."

Along with the Woman of the Year, Cohen will have his name, picture, and company printed on billboards around the city. Wanda Allen fine jewelry also donated cufflinks and a money clip for the winner.
"My head is still spinning from the excitement of the honor," Cohen says. He plans on helping other charities in the future, but for now he says, "I just want to sleep for two months."