Thanks to Aflac’s generosity, 40 robot companions have been donated to pediatric cancer and sickle cell disease patients.
Bronx, New York, September 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Children at Children’s Hospital of Montefiore (CHAM) have a new best friend thanks to Aflac, a leading U.S. provider of supplemental health insurance. Columbus, GeorgiaAflac donated 40 My Special Aflac Ducks at Tuesday’s event. Since its first duck donation in 2018, Aflac has provided more than 31,000 My Special Aflac Ducks at no cost to children ages 3 and older with cancer and sickle cell disease, providing comfort and joy during their treatment.
Aflac Senior Vice President Inez Gutzmer teamed up with the Sunrise Institute, a national organization that provides free day camps for children with cancer and their siblings, to donate My Special Aflac Duck to children receiving treatment at Montefiore Children’s Hospital in the Bronx, New York.
“The happiness and joy the children experience says it all,” Ines Rodriguez Gutzmer“September is Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and today we are introducing our first ever new york“In 2010, we watched more than 40 pediatric cancer and sickle cell disease patients gain adorable new friends who will help them throughout their treatment and beyond. Their joy and our ability to help these children and their families is what drives Aflac’s philanthropic efforts. We’re grateful to Montefiore Children’s Hospital and the Sunrise Society for making this special duck delivery possible.”
My Special Aflac Duck is a social robot equipped with innovative technology to help children prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings and practice distraction techniques. In a three-year study released in April, both parents and caregivers reported that children who received My Special Aflac Duck experienced less distress, nausea, pain, treatment and procedural anxiety compared to children who did not receive the duck in the study. My Special Aflac Duck was named one of TIME magazine’s 50 Best Inventions and was named Best in Show at CES and South by Southwest in 2018. The My Special Aflac Duck program represents Aflac’s more than 100-year commitment to helping people with their medical conditions. $184 million Donations go to pediatric cancer and blood disorder research and programs, including supporting the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Aflac Children’s Hospital. Atlanta.
“We are so grateful to Aflac and the Sunrise Foundation for delivering the ducks to the patients at Montefiore Children’s Hospital.” Megan D. KellyMSEd, CCLS, CHAM, director of the Phoebe H. Stein Child Life Program. “Dealing with illness can be stressful for children and families, so it’s always great to have our partners visit our hospital and help brighten their day.”
“The Sunrise Society is excited to once again partner with Aflac to deliver My Special Aflac Ducks to children at Montefiore Children’s Hospital during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” the Sunrise Society said. Beth Fetner“This collaboration is a testament to the power of partnerships to bring joy and comfort to children facing difficult times. Aflac’s commitment to easing the journey of these young patients aligns perfectly with our mission to bring back the joy of childhood for children with cancer. Together, we are creating moments of happiness and hope for these brave children and their families,” said Aflac Association CEO and Sunrise Association Chief Development Officer.
Healthcare providers, advocacy groups and families can order My Special Aflac Duck at no cost to children ages 3 and 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, through its subsidiaries across the U.S. and Canada, has been providing financial protection and peace of mind to millions of policyholders and customers for more than 68 years. JapanIn the United States, Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 JapanAflac Life Insurance Company, Inc. is the No. 1 insurer by cancer and health insurance volume. We pride ourselves on being there for our policyholders when they need us most, and we have been named to Ethisphere’s “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for the 18th consecutive year (2024), Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” for the 23rd consecutive year (2024), and Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index for the 4th consecutive year (2023). In addition, the company signed the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2023) for the 10th consecutive year. Learn more about how to get help with costs not covered by health insurance by visiting aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors can learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its corporate social responsibility and sustainability efforts in the “Sustainability” section of investors.aflac.com.
1 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Market Report
Media Contact: John Sullivan706-763-4813 or (email address protected)
Analyst and Investor Contacts: David A. Young706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or (email address protected)
Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, Georgia 31999
Source: Aflac
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