40 of the robotic companions donated to pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients courtesy of Aflac
BRONX, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — 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 [email protected]
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or [email protected]
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