The Cooper Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cooper University Health Care, raised a record $3.5 million at its 12th Annual Red Hot Gala, held Sept. 30 at the TRIAD1828 CENTRE on the Camden waterfront.
This was the largest amount ever raised at a single charity event in the history of South Jersey.
More than 900 guests attended the night dedicated to the late Michael Hartung, CEO of Cherry Hill Imports Auto Group and an advocate for quality health care for children. As a philanthropist, Hartung was an avid supporter of Cooper University Health Care for more than 30 years, serving as first vice chair of the Cooper Foundation.
George E. Norcross III, chairman of the board of trustees of Cooper University Health System and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, and Philip A. Norcross, chairman of the Cooper Foundation, were also in attendance.
“After a two-year hiatus, we are delighted to be gathering together in person once again to support Cooper and honor our longtime friend Michael Hartung,” Philip Norcross stated. “Just as Michael’s legacy was about giving of himself to others, our foundation supporters demonstrate that same unwavering generosity as partners in Cooper’s mission to serve the people of this region.”
Cooper is celebrating its 135th anniversary this year, and it is also celebrating its recent announcement of a $2 billion expansion of its health sciences campus in Camden that will transform it and the community.
“It is thanks to the generous support of individuals who come to the gala and support the foundation, like our longtime friends Michael Hartung and Dennis DiFlorio, that has helped propel Cooper to be the leading academic health system in the region and in building its future,” George Norcross said.
“Due to the generosity of so many individuals, the Cooper Red Hot Gala — even during the pandemic when we could not meet — has raised more than $20 million since its inception. We are incredibly honored by the community’s unwavering support for Cooper University Health Care and the Cooper Foundation,” Kevin O’Dowd, co-CEO of Cooper, said.
“Tonight is all about inspiration. Knowing that we have the backing of so many supporters, our teams are inspired to do great things, provide outstanding care and be a beacon of hope for the community now and in the future,” Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, co-CEO of Cooper, said.
