Philadelphia magazine and Independence Blue Cross seek nominations for the Be Well Philly 2014 Health Hero Challenge. The contest honors a champion of health and wellness who inspires others to make strides for healthier lives. The free nominating process is open to the public on Be Well Philly’s Facebook page. The winner will receive a $3,000 donation to the charity of his or her choice, a magazine feature and an award at the Health Hero Celebration. For more information, visit Phillymag.com/HealthHero.

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“The Health Hero Challenge helps us spotlight people in this region who inspire and empower people to live healthier and happier,” says Independence Blue Cross Vice President of Wellness and Community Health Kimberly Eberbach. “At Independence Blue Cross, we are committed to enhancing the health and wellness of the people in our region, and we believe that providing them with the right information and support will give them the power to take control of their own health.”

Potential nominees must live in the Greater Philadelphia area (Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Delaware County, Chester County, South Jersey or Northern Delaware) and be at least 21 years old. There are no restrictions on the amount of nominations that can be sent in by an individual or organization.

“We want to celebrate the people in our community who are making Philly a healthier, happier place to live and work,” says Philadelphia magazine’s Health and Fitness Editor Emily Leaman. “I've had the pleasure of meeting trainers, doctors, nonprofit leaders, coaches and other individuals who are making a real impact in people's lives and inspiring those around them to be healthy and fit. It's an amazing privilege to be able to share their stories, as well as to recognize them for the hard work they do.”

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After nominations are collected, a panel of Philadelphia magazine editors will choose 16 semi-finalists based on the degree to which the nominee impacts, champions and encourages others in health, wellness and/or fitness.

The semi-finalists will be broken down into four groups and the public will help pick the group winners and grand prize Health Hero via online voting. One grand-prize winner will be featured in Philadelphia magazine, receive a $3,000 donation to his or her charity of choice, and be honored at the annual Health Hero Celebration. The other three group winners will each receive a $250 donation to his or her charity of choice.

Past winners for the Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge have included Dr. Beth DuPree, breast surgeon and medical director for Holy Redeemer’s Breast Health Program, and Leslie Marant, co-ambassador for Black Girls Run! Philadelphia, personal trainer of Temple Building Fitness and local attorney.

Nominations are now open on the Be Well Philly Facebook page until August 18, 2014, at 11:59am. For more information, visit Phillymag.com/HealthHero and follow @bewellphilly and #BWPHealthHero on Twitter.

ABOUT BE WELL PHILLY

Be Well Philly's blog and annual magazine is Philadelphia's resource for health news, personality interviews, fitness tips and nutrition advice from the top experts in the greater Philadelphia region. The website and blog are part of the Philadelphia magazine family.

ABOUT INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS

Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is the leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With its affiliates, Independence Blue Cross serves nearly 8.8 million people nationwide, including 2.5 million in the region. For more than 75 years, IBC has been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities served by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more about how IBC is impacting health, visit www.ibx.com. Connect on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.