Award will be presented at Magee's Night of Champions event on May 7  

PHILADELPHIA – John J. Dougherty, business manager for IBEW Local No. 98 and a South Philadelphia resident, has been named the 2004 Magee Rehabilitation Champion in the Community. Magee Rehabilitation Hospital presents the award to a community leader who supports individuals with disabilities.

Dougherty will receive the award at Magee's Fourth Annual Night of Champions event scheduled for Friday, May 7, from 7 – 10 p.m. at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall on S. Columbus Blvd. The Night of Champions supports many athletes from across Pennsylvania , New Jersey and Delaware who play for Magee-sponsored wheelchair sports programs.

“On behalf of our wheelchair sports participants and all of the patients we serve, we are honored to present John with this award,” says Magee President and Medical Director Dr. William E. Staas, Jr. “He is committed to helping us improve the quality of life of those with disabilities across the Philadelphia region.”

Tickets to the Night of Champions cost $110, with many group sponsorship packages available. Also, an hour before the event, Chaddsford Winery will host a VIP wine tasting reception to benefit Magee. For more information, including sponsorship information, please call (215) 587-3090.

Sponsors of the Night of Champions include IBEW Local No. 98/NECA; GlaxoSmithKline; Rittenhouse Asset Management; Pennsylvania State Representative Dwight Evans; PECO Energy; Garrison Printing Co.; Aqua Pennsylvania Inc.; Associated Medical; Castle Dealerships; Mark and Jayne Chilutti; Dan and Caren Jones & family; Alison Mann; Selfcare Mediquip Inc.; Superior Products Inc.; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; and Carol Ann Vinci.

The region's leading sponsor of sports and leisure activities for individuals with disabilities, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital offers wheelchair sports programs in basketball, tennis, rugby and softball. Magee has teamed with a number of local professional sports franchises to form the Magee Sixers Spokesmen wheelchair basketball team, the Magee Eagles wheelchair rugby team, the Magee Phillies softball wheelchair team and the Magee Freedoms wheelchair tennis team. Teams are open to anyone in the community with a disability. For more information on Magee's wheelchair sports programs, please call (215) 587-3412.