November 2018 … Healthy NewsWorks is pleased to announce that Executive Director Marian Uhlman was one of two runners-up in the 2018 Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge. As a result, Healthy NewsWorks will receive a $2,500 donation to support our health-focused student media program in Philadelphia-area schools.
The results were announced at a reception on November 27 in Philadelphia after two rounds of voting that started with an original list of some 400 nominations. Community members chose from 10 semifinalists in September and early October. Three finalists advanced to the second round of voting in November.
The Health Hero Challenge is sponsored by Philadelphia magazine and Independence Blue Cross to recognize people and organizations that encourage others to participate in a healthy and active lifestyle.
“Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me and Healthy NewsWorks over the past few months,” Marian said. “The real heroes in this story are the student reporters, teachers, volunteers, and community members we work with. It’s an amazing thing to see children learn how to gather facts about health and write about it for their peers and the wider community.”
In addition to Marian, the Health Hero winners were:
- Grand prize: Todd Irwin, board president and a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight East, which provides free flights for people needing to travel for medical treatment. His organization will receive a $10,000 donation.
- Runner-up: Alanna Gardner, a fitness trainer, therapist, and spokeperson for the American Heart Association. She designated the Heart Association to receive a $2,500 donation.
For “VIP” (Very Influential Philadelphian), voters chose NBC10 morning anchor Tracy Davidson, who designated the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA to receive a $2,500 donation. Runners-up were Wendell Holland, a furniture designer and winner of “Survivor: Ghost Island”; and Christian Crosby, Philadelphia 76ers Personality and founder of Live Life Nice, Inc.
