Award dinner raises event-record $142,000 for patients of Magee

PHILADELPHIA – Magee Rehabilitation Hospital presented its 18th Annual Humanitarian Award to John J. Dougherty, business manager of IBEW Local 98, on November 15, 2005. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and many other civic and community leaders attended the reception to honor Dougherty.  The award dinner raised an event-record $142,000 for patients of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. The Humanitarian Award is presented annually to an individual or organization that works to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in the Philadelphia region.

Dougherty is an ardent supporter of Magee and is a widely recognized advocate for people with disabilities.  He saw firsthand the exceptional care and compassion Magee provides its patients when his wife Cecilia was a patient at the Hospital.  He has since dedicated himself to ensuring that the same high-quality care and resources are available to future patients and their families.  He is also a major benefactor of the Hospital’s wheelchair athletes, and provides holiday gifts to patients and their families.

“[Magee] treated us like family and made us believe that miracles could happen,” said Dougherty. “And they have. We are proud to be a part of the Magee family and, like all close-knit families, we will always be there for Magee as we know you will always be there for us.”

Dougherty holds executive and board member positions with nearly two dozen prominent business, civic, and community organizations, including the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, Delaware River Port Authority, Philadelphia Building and Trades Council, Penn’s Landing Corporation, and Independence Blue Cross.  He is also president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Variety Club.