Aflac Program Soothes and Engages Childhood Cancer Patients
Originally published on Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Shannon Dominy
“We have heard from several parents and child life specialists at hospitals saying that My Special Aflac Duck has helped provide social and emotional support for children who have been in greater isolation during their cancer journey as a result of the pandemic,” said Jon Sullivan, the director of corporate communications at Aflac.
Aflac started distributing My Special Aflac Ducks to children in September of 2018, and since then it has given more than 9,900 ducks to more than 280 pediatric cancer hospitals and organizations in 48 U.S. states, as well as Puerto Rico, free of charge. Aflac also expanded the program to Japan, where it does approximately 75% of its business, ahead of schedule, when a child there saw the duck on the internet and wrote a touching letter asking if he could receive one as well.
