More than 75 robotic ducks were given free of
charge to campers
FAIRFAX,
Va., July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac
Incorporated, a leading provider of health supplemental insurance
in the U.S., paired up with Sunrise Association to deliver more
than 75 social robotic ducks to children at Horizon Day Camp–Metro
DC, a project between the Pozez JCC and the Sunrise Association.
Horizon Day Camp- Metro DC, a day camp designed to bring the joy of
childhood to children with cancer and their siblings — the camp, as
well as My Special Aflac Ducks, are completely free of
charge. With a shared mission, Aflac contributed $70,000 to support children with cancer and their
sibling to go to camp, and donated My Special Aflac Ducks to
provide additional delight through its innovative technology to
help children prepare for medical procedures, communicate their
feelings, practice distraction techniques and more. This is the
third year the two organizations have worked together to deliver
the cuddly companion to campers.
Since 2019, Aflac has distributed more than 31,000 ducks free of
charge to children ages 3 and up with a pediatric cancer or blood
disorders like sickle cell diagnosis. The robotic companion was
designed in consult with more than 100 children, families and
medical professionals in conjunction with Empath Labs to produce
the comforting, lifelike movements, and many more features that
bring cheer. My Special Aflac Duck was recently
the focus of a three-year clinical study spearheaded by
researchers at Emory University and conducted at eight
hospitals across the country. The study, which included 160
patients, their families and health care professionals, was
released in April, showing that My Special Aflac
Duck helps pediatric patients with cancer cope with
treatment-related distress and anxiety. The 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 excitement around My Special Aflac Duck is
palpable," said Jeff Dannick,
Executive Director, Pozez JCC of Northern
Virginia. "Campers, parents and counselors love this
interactive, therapeutic and fun new addition to the family that
combines the joys of having a pet, a companion, and a friend, all
at the same time. We are so grateful to Aflac for their generosity
and creativity, and particularly for their commitment to families
facing pediatric cancer."
Campers were given a demonstration of the duck and an overview
of their new companion's features by Aflac Senior Manager
Buffy Swinehart, who heads Aflac
Corporate Social Responsibility. The Horizon Day Camp–Metro DC
delivery is part of Aflac's nearly 30-year and more than
$183 million commitment to the
pediatric cancer and blood disorder initiative.
"The joy on the campers' faces says it all: My Special Aflac
Duck spreads cheer and allows the children an opportunity to
play and relax," Swinehart said. "The duck not only helps them
express their emotions, but it also helps familiarize them with
health care procedures through medical play, allowing the children
an opportunity have a shared experience with their duck. And we now
know through the recent Emory
University study that the duck helps with treatment-related
stress and anxiety. This international program keeps expanding in
the U.S., Japan, and Northern Ireland, and it is a bright example
of how Aflac continues to strengthen its commitment to helping
pediatric cancer and blood disorder patients."
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
About Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC
Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC is a proud member of the Sunrise
Association, whose mission is to bring back the joys of childhood
to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide. Sunrise
accomplishes this through the creation and oversight of welcoming,
inclusive summer day camps, year-round
programs and in-hospital recreational activities, all
offered free of charge. Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC is a project
between the Pozez JCC and the Sunrise Association. Learn more about
Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC at
https://horizondaycamp.org/metrodc/.
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SOURCE Aflac