40 of the robotic companions donated to
pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients courtesy of Aflac
BRONX,
N.Y., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Children at
Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) now have a new best friend
thanks to Aflac Incorporated, a leading provider of health
supplemental insurance in the U.S. The Columbus, Georgia-based insurer donated 40
My Special Aflac Ducks at an event Tuesday. Since the
first duck delivery in 2018, Aflac has placed more than 31,000
My Special Aflac Ducks in the hands of pediatric cancer and
sickle cell patients ages 3 and up free of charge, providing
comfort and joy during their treatment journeys.
"The happiness and delight that the children experience says it
all," said Ines Rodriguez Gutzmer,
Aflac senior vice president and chief Communications officer.
"September is Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and
today, in our first-ever delivery in New
York, we saw more than 40 pediatric cancer and sickle cell
patients get a cuddly new friend who will help them in treatment
and beyond. Their excitement and our ability to help these kids and
their families, is what drives Aflac's philanthropic mission. We're
thankful to the Children's Hospital at Montefiore and to Sunrise
Association for making this very special duck delivery
possible."
My Special Aflac Duck is a social robot powered by
innovative technology that helps kids prepare for medical
procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction
techniques and more. A three-year study released in April revealed
that both parents and caregivers reported a reduction in distress,
nausea, pain and treatment — and procedural anxiety — for their
children who received My Special Aflac Duck, compared to
those in the study who had not yet received a duck. My Special
Aflac Duck was named one of Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions
and named Best in Show at CES and South by Southwest in 2018. The
My Special Aflac Duck program is a hallmark of Aflac's more
than $184 million given toward
pediatric cancer and blood disorder research and programs,
including support of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at
Children's Hospital of Atlanta.
"We are very grateful to Aflac and Sunrise Association for
delivering ducks to our patients at The Children's Hospital at
Montefiore," said Meghan D. Kelly,
MSEd, CCLS, director, Phoebe H. Stein Child Life Program, CHAM.
"Dealing with illness can be stressful for children and families,
so it is always wonderful when partners visit our hospital and help
us to brighten their day."
"Sunrise Association is thrilled to once again partner with
Aflac in bringing the My Special Aflac Duck to the children
at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore during Childhood Cancer
Awareness Month," said Beth Fetner,
Sunrise Association Chief Development Officer. "This collaboration
is a testament to the power of partnerships in delivering joy and
comfort to children facing challenges. Aflac's commitment to easing
the journey for these young patients aligns perfectly with our
mission to bring back the joys of childhood to children with
cancer. Together, we are creating moments of happiness and hope for
these brave children and their families."
Health care providers, support organizations and families can
order My Special Aflac Duck free of charge for
children 3 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or
sickle cell disease at MySpecialAflacDuck.com.
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:
AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial
protection and peace of mind for more than 68 years to millions of
policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S.
and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is
the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance
products.1 In Japan,
Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and
medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes
pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most,
as well as being included in the World's Most Ethical Companies by
Ethisphere for 18 consecutive years (2024), Fortune's World's Most
Admired Companies for 23 years (2024) and Bloomberg's
Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year (2023). In
addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for
Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the
Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2023) for 10 years.
To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't
cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol.
Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its
commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at
investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability."
1 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total
Market Report
Media contact: Jon
Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or
dyoung@aflac.com
Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road
| Columbus, GA 31999
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SOURCE Aflac