The 2017 Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge finalists and winner accept their awards at La Peg on November 14, 2017.
Independence Blue Cross joined Philadelphia magazine and Be Well Philly, the magazine’s health and wellness website, on November 14 to celebrate the finalists and winners of the 2017 Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge. The Health Hero Challenge honors people who are making their communities healthier in the Philadelphia region – from doctors and fitness trainers, to marathon runners and charity founders.
This year’s winner, Darren Sudman, is the co-founder of Simon’s Fund, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about the conditions and warning signs that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death in young athletes and children, and Got AED, a crowd-funding site dedicated to placing AED devices where kids learn and play.
As the Health Hero Challenge winner, Sudman received a $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice, and two runners-up receive $2,500 donations to their charities. In addition to Sudman, this year’s finalists — narrowed down from hundreds of nominees and 10 semi-finalists —included:
- Stephanie Ford. Founder, Pedal Posse Divas; Women’s biking advocate
- Ramon Laboy. Program Director, Back On My Feet Philadelphia
Be Well Philly also honors a local icon with the Health Hero VIP (Very Influential Philadelphian) award for going above and beyond to make a healthy impact on our community. 6ABC meteorologist Cecily Tynan received the 2017 Health Hero VIP award and $2,500 to donate to her charity of choice, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.