News + Events/January 2026
We are pleased to report that your enthusiastic year-end support resulted in the most successful annual appeal since our record-breaking year during the pandemic. We are grateful for all the donations, large and small, that help families we serve find the healthcare, essentials, and educational tools they can use to achieve better futures.
Springtime is for wellness
Our spring Women’s Wellness Day will be held on Friday, March 6 this year. It’s a chance for busy moms and other women leading hectic lives to attend to their health and wellness in a relaxed setting.
A mammogram van from the American-Italian Cancer Foundation will join us for breast cancer screenings. In the clinic, further screenings for cervical cancer, HPV, and STIs, as well as breast exams will be offered.
Once patients have received their medical services, they can attend educational sessions on women’s health issues, relax with massages, and choose from an array of free items, such as self-care products, clothing, and pajamas. Breakfast and lunch will also be served.
We welcome and encourage sponsors and other supporters for the event. Please contact Olivia Graffeo at ograffeo@thefloatinghospital.org for more information. Those interested in volunteering can email volunteer@thefloatinghospital.org. An Amazon Wishlist has been set up for donations of personal care items.
Let’s be ‘Candid’
The Floating Hospital has received the Platinum Seal of Transparency rating from Candid, the world’s largest source of information for nonprofit organizations. This rating places us in the top 0.1% of charities nationwide in terms of transparency.
The rating recognizes our nonprofit clearly shares vital information with the public about goals, strategies, capabilities, achievements, and progress indicators that highlight the difference our services make in the world.
Donors can find in-depth financial information about The Floating Hospital as they consider a gift that provides essential needs, healthcare, and health education, to set up families in need for healthy and productive lives.
See The Floating Hospital Candid profile here.
16 candles for 16 decades
It’s our 160th anniversary and we are celebrating! For the centerpiece of this gala year, please join us on June 2 as we return to the Edison Ballroom for an elegant evening marking our milestone anniversary. In that stylish setting, we will honor our past, envision our future, and recognize the philanthropic spirit that has uplifted countless families across these many decades.
Keep an eye out for “save the date” notices and more information on this and other anniversary event announcements.
For details, please reach out to Ann-Louise Lipman, alipman@thefloatinghospital.org or 718-784-2240, ext. 215
In memoriam
In December, The Floating Hospital, as well as many in Astoria, lost a fierce advocate and powerful voice in the community with the passing of Claudia Coger.
Mrs. Coger, who was president of the Astoria Houses Residents’ Association, died on December 21. Floating Hospital Director of Community Outreach Cynthia Davis said she was both a patient and supporter of our clinic, as well as a mentor to her. She “was a dedicated community leader,” who helped connect us with elected officials and other tenant leaders. “She was a true friend,” Davis said.
According to New York State Senator Michael Gianaris’s office, she lived in Astoria Houses for more than 60 years and raised six children there. To residents, she was known as “Mama Coger,” a tribute “to her nurturing spirit and caring nature.” She was employed at the New York City Transit Authority for more than 25 years as an assistant train dispatcher.
It was at her retirement in 1993 that she decided to address quality of life issues in Astoria and was elected president of her residents’ association. She also served on the Executive Board of the Citywide Council of Tenant Association Presidents. Beginning in 2018, she led the first NYCHA resident association’s scholarship campaign. The Save for College Program raised $1,000 for every child with a New York City Scholarship Account in Astoria Houses—the largest community scholarship campaign at that time.