(CAMDEN, N.J) – The Cooper Foundation has raised nearly $4 million for its 13^th Annual Red Hot Gala, setting a new record for Cooper. The Gala is being held tonight, September 22^nd at the TRIAD1828 CENTER on the Camden waterfront with the announcement to be made by George E. Norcross III, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cooper University Health Care and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, and Philip A. Norcross, Esq., Chairman of The Cooper Foundation Board.

More than 975 guests are attending this year’s event, which is dedicated to Bernard and Shirlee Brown, on behalf of their children and presenting sponsors Sidney and Sandy Brown, Jeff and Tracy Brown, Anne E. Koons, and the family businesses, NFI and Vineland Construction Company.

“The Brown and Koons families have been committed and loyal supporters of Cooper and The Cooper Foundation for many years. We honor the generosity of their parents, Bernard and Shirlee, who instilled a strong sense of philanthropy in their children,” said Philip A. Norcross, Esq., Chairman of The Cooper Foundation Board. “Because of this shared generosity, Cooper has been the grateful recipient of significant gifts over the years from the family foundations, which have funded vital medical and community programs.”

“As Cooper rounds off its 136^th year, we look to the future with an unprecedented $2 billion Camden campus expansion that will transform Cooper and the community,” said George E. Norcross III, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cooper University Health Care and MD Anderson at Cooper. “We are also focused on bringing Cooper’s trademark clinical innovation and expertise to more communities in South Jersey and beyond, including a new hi-tech ambulatory complex opening soon in Moorestown and a historic merger with Cape Regional Health System.”

“Due to the generosity of so many individuals, the Cooper Red Hot Gala has raised nearly $25 million since its inception. We are incredibly honored by the community’s unwavering support for Cooper University Health Care and The Cooper Foundation,” said Kevin M. O’Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper.

“Knowing that we have the backing of so many supporters, our teams are inspired to do great things,” said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO of Cooper. “We are thankful for the commitment and generosity of our supporters, for believing in Cooper and trusting us to deliver the best health care in the region.”