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CAMDEN, N.J.— The Chairman of the Cooper Board of Trustees, George E. Norcross III, announced tonight that The Cooper Foundation raised a record $1.5 million at its fifth annual Cooper Red Hot Gala. This year’s proceeds will benefit the Cooper Level I Trauma Center, which provides the most advanced care to more than 2,700 gravely injured children and adults each year.

“The nationally renowned Cooper Trauma Center is the finest in the region, saving lives each and every day,” said Norcross, who hosted the Gala. “I am grateful for the generous contributions of our friends and supporters, and I am thankful for the support in continuing the great mission of Cooper University Health Care.”

More than 800 people attended the Gala, which is one of the largest charitable fundraisers in the region, raising a total of $6.5 million since 2011. This year’s event, held at Vie in Philadelphia, honored Steven E. Ross, M.D., Director of the Center for Trauma Services and the Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery.

“Cooper University Health Care and the Cooper Trauma Center help patients and families when they need help the most,” said Susan Bass Levin, President and CEO of The Cooper Foundation.  “Our mission to serve, to heal, and to educate is made stronger through the support of our community and all who come together to make Cooper the leading health care system in the region.”

One of only three state-designated Level I Trauma Centers in New Jersey, the Cooper Trauma Center is equipped with the latest life-saving technology and is staffed 24-hours a day by a highly skilled team of trauma surgeons, anesthesiologists, trauma nurses, technicians and specialists in orthopaedics, cardiology, vascular, neurology, and other specialties for traumatic injury. Level I Trauma also includes vital support services, including the blood bank, laboratory services and diagnostic radiology.

The Cooper Trauma Center is also well equipped to handle the needs of pediatric patients, with a separate admitting area for children. This area has been designed with the special medical needs of younger trauma patients in mind. Trauma surgeons skilled in the care of pediatric injuries are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and supported by physicians in all pediatric subspecialties.

Cooper is also equipped to allow critically injured patients to arrive by helicopter. Patients arriving by helicopter receive immediate care on the helipad from the trauma resuscitation team. A fully equipped resuscitation room is located on the helipad so patients may be evaluated and provided with lifesaving interventions without delay.

In addition to treating traumatic injuries, Cooper is committed to trauma prevention. The Trauma Center offers many injury prevention programs for school districts and community groups covering topics ranging from driver’s education and prom programs, drug and alcohol abuse programs, risk-taking programs and summer safety.

To watch a video tribute to the Cooper Trauma team, visit http://www.cooperhealth.org/traumatribute.