News & Stories

For Bonnie Malamut, the name “Cooper“ means far more than the hospital where she was born—it represents generations of care, courage, and connection.

A proud Haddonfield native and two-time cancer survivor, Bonnie will soon celebrate her third “uncancerversary” after overcoming urologic cancer. Her relationship with Cooper University Health Care, however, began long before that milestone—and became deeply personal through her cancer journey.

Bonnie was just 39 years old when she was first diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer, during a time when the term “triple-negative” was barely recognized. She underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. During that time, she was a source of strength for her close friend, an 18-year breast cancer survivor and fellow patient. “Helping her helped me save my own life,” Bonnie says.

One day during their chemotherapy session, her friend suggested Bonnie get BRCA genetic testing. On a whim—and a $20 co-pay—Bonnie scheduled an appointment with a genetic counselor at Cooper. The first results were inconclusive, but six months later, testing confirmed she was BRCA1 positive. That discovery changed everything.

Taking proactive steps for her health, Bonnie turned to MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, where she chose to have her ovaries removed due to increased risk for ovarian cancer and later underwent a bilateral mastectomy. She credits the MD Anderson team with guiding her through every stage of her treatment and recovery.

The genetic testing that saved Bonnie’s life also saved the lives of two of her three sisters, who tested positive for the same mutation and took preventive action.

Bonnie’s family’s ties to Cooper run deep—spanning generations of service, compassion, and community. Her late mother, Barbara Shrader, served as President of the Cooper Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and chaired the Cooper Horse Show in the 1970s, one of Cooper’s largest fundraisers at the time. Her late father, Alfred Shrader, a general contractor, spent decades volunteering his skills for Cooper’s events and community projects.

Now, as Bonnie celebrates her third “uncancerversary,” she carries forward that same spirit of resilience and care that has long defined her family’s bond with Cooper. Her story is one of strength, sisterhood, and survival—a testament to the power of early detection, compassionate care, and the lifesaving difference Cooper makes every day.