Building on more than 20 years of ongoing support for The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Aflac helps underwrite treatment for children, funds essential research, contributes to more than 50 children's hospitals nationwide, and supports child-life programs to improve quality of life and help children cope with their illness.
Among its South Carolina efforts, the company sponsors a wing at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands.
Aflac’s Catherine Hernandez-Blades shares how the “four Es” guide Aflac in evolving its CSR commitments – including creating a very special duck for children with cancer
Multimedia with summary
Aflac’s Catherine Hernandez-Blades shares how the “four Es” guide Aflac in evolving its CSR commitments – including creating a very special duck for children with cancer
On average, children with cancer will spend 1,000 days undergoing treatment. Knowing this can be a scary and difficult time for young patients, Aflac partnered with Sproutel to develop "My Special Aflac Duck." The duck is designed to be a comfort and help children share their emotions. The robotic companion recently earned SXSW's People Choice Award in the Robotics & Hardware category in addition to previous accolades from TIME Magazine and Engadget.
Congratulations to our friends at the University of Georgia who participated in the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Dance Marathon. Not only did they celebrate with Miracle families, dance and participate in team building activities, but they also raised more than $1.1 million for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta!
Since 1995, Aflac has raised and donated more than $133 million to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Article
Each year, more than 15,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. The average length of treatment is 1,000 days, many of which are spent in a hospital, enduring painful treatments in an unfamiliar setting.
During this difficult period, children often struggle to voice how they're feeling — emotionally and physically. But thanks to a fuzzy, interactive friend, sharing those feelings is a little easier with the "My Special Aflac Duck" (MSAD).
by Rebecca Keister, Tech Contributor, Go Local Prov
Article
The people have spoken.
Not only did Sproutel take home the top award in the Robotics and Hardware category at the 22nd annual SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Presented by KPMG, but the company—along with their co-creators—also took home the people’s choice award for the My Special Aflac Duck, a “comforting companion” for children with cancer.
The ducks interact with kids, can be fed or bathed, and play soothing sounds, by Charlie Wojciechowski
Article
The invention, called “My Special Aflac Duck,” was named one of Time Magazine’s best inventions of 2018, and it’s easy to see why, as kids rapidly grow attached to them.
“We consider the duck a social robot,” inventor Aaron J. Horowitz said. “He is a constant companion for kids that can really share in the experience that they are having, and can give them a better tool to communicate how they feel.”
