Celebrating the holidays can be particularly difficult for families with loved ones who have suffered traumatic injuries. The Trauma Family Support Group at Cooper stands ready to help families deal with the shock, depression and grieving that can accompany these life-altering events.

This holiday season, the Foundation is assisting the Trauma Department with their annual “Season of Hope” fundraiser to help support the Group. For a five dollar donation at the Cooper Gift Shop, snowflakes can be purchased to honor or memorialize someone special. The snowflakes are placed in Cooper’s DiFlorio Healing Garden so they can be enjoyed throughout the holiday season.

The dedication for “A Season of Hope” will be held on Wednesday, December 8 at 4:30 PM. Snowflakes will be available, and holiday music and light refreshments served. All are welcome to join the festivities and celebrate “A Season of Hope!”

Lee Solomon of Haddonfield, NJ, his family, friends and business associates from throughout New Jersey, including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, attended a fundraiser at Cooper University Hospital exactly one year after a bike accident almost took his life.

Solomon, a former state superior court judge, county and federal prosecutor, county freeholder and state assemblyman, sustained life threatening injuries from a biking accident on September 13, 2009. He was in the Trauma Center for more than three weeks and then returned to Cooper recently for hip replacement surgery. He is back to his demanding career as President of Board of Public Utilities for the state, and spending time with family – thankful for life.

Click here for a video about Lee’s story on Cooper’s ”Living Proof” patient stories blog.

“Lee understands better than anyone the importance of having a Level 1 Trauma Center close to home,” said Susan Bass Levin, President and CEO of the Cooper Foundation. “He and his family are grateful to those who helped save his life and wanted to show their appreciation for the Cooper team by holding this event.  Lee’s courage, spirit and commitment to our community inspire us all to do more.”

“Lee is one of nearly three thousand people each year that we treat in the Cooper Level 1 Trauma Center,” said Steven E. Ross, MD, Head of the Division of Trauma at Cooper University Hospital. “His resolve and determination signifies the courage it takes our patients to work hard at getting their lives back. We are grateful for his support of our Trauma care.”

The tribute fundraiser honored Dr. Steven Ross, who also was the trauma surgeon who saved NJ Governor Corzine’s life in 2007, and the entire trauma team for their tireless work saving the lives of patients in South Jersey.