Philadelphia, Pa. – Magee Rehabilitation Hospital will benefit from proceeds raised at the Sixth Annual Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival, which will take place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 29 at Radnor High School and the Haverford School. This year’s festival, the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier public/ private high school lacrosse competition, is raising money to fund spinal cord research through the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation and the NTAF Spinal Cord Injury Program to support Katie Samson’s ongoing uninsured medical needs. Proceeds from the event will also be donated to support the Magee’s wheelchair athletics program. 

The Festival is named for Katie Samson, a former star lacrosse goalie for Radnor High School. As a freshman at Middlebury College in Vermont, Katie led the women's lacrosse team to the 1999 Division III NCAA National Championship, and was named to the All-Tournament Team.  During her winter break in January 2000, Katie suffered a severe spinal cord injury (SCI) in a sledding accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down. A three-month rehabilitation at Magee followed and in January 2001, Katie returned to Middlebury College and served as an assistant coach for her team.

Individuals and families will enjoy games, rides, face-painters, balloon artists, raffles, food, and lacrosse matches. There will be a $5 admission fee for all (except players).

Samson is now in the second year of her pursuit of a master’s degree in Art History with a focus in photography at the University of Arizona in Tuscon. She joined the wheelchair rugby team and is enjoying new levels of independence. She also sits on the Board of Radnor Educational Foundation and continues to speak publicly, educating her audience about challenges and the ability to overcome adversity.

For more information, visit www.katiesamsonlaxfest.com or call (610) 293-9984.