Partnerships Build Hope at Aflac Cancer Center

by Buffy Swinehart

The U.S. Chamber’s Business Civic Leadership Center is calling for nominations for the 2008 Corporate Citizenship Awards.  The nominations deadline is June 27.  To nominate your company, visit www.uschamber.com/bclc/awards

Nineteenth-century poet Emily Dickinson wrote that "hope is the thing with feathers". In 2007, Aflac Incorporated and the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) were honored to receive the 2007 U.S. Partnership Award for providing hope to so many families in the fight against pediatric cancer. The award, determined by public vote on the Business Civic Leadership Center’s web site, pays tribute to companies and charitable organizations that exemplify cooperative success in addressing an important social issue.

Aflac and its affiliates were proud to be recognized for fighting childhood cancer and prouder still that the commitment goes well beyond financial support. Through donations of time and efforts, Aflac’s executive management steadfastly supports the center’s long-term strategic vision of researching pediatric cancer diagnostics, treatments and even a future cure. In fact, through its foundation, Aflac Incorporated makes cancer research its primary philanthropic cause. The company and its employees have donated more than $42 million since 1995 and provided countless person-hours for this worthy charity.

The U.S. Partnership Award is an exciting recognition of the life-saving work performed by the researchers and providers at the Aflac Cancer Center. The award has helped Aflac fortify its place among corporate citizens engaged in the fight against pediatric cancer, raising the center’s credibility as a national leader in cancer research, and enabling even higher achievements.

The company’s unwavering commitment to the Cancer Center is an important part of Aflac’s maintaining its desired identity as a corporation that takes pride in giving back to the community. In fact, the company’s famous corporate icon, the Aflac Duck, is often used to market activities and functions benefiting cancer research, demonstrating that the duck is more than just a star of television commercials, but also a feathery symbol of hope — and that Aflac is more than just a provider of insurance, but a citizen in the community that understands its own obligation to serve.

Because of its ability to deliver hope to so many families, Aflac’s contribution to cancer research is embraced by the entire Aflac team. The company’s nationwide sales force, many of whom donate a significant portion of their sales commission to cancer research, exemplifies the altruistic spirit of giving to such a worthy effort.

Since winning the 2007 Partnership Award, the Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of CHOA has accelerated its devotion to fighting pediatric cancer. Several new and promising projects, including a new inpatient unit at their Scottish Rite location in Atlanta, have opened new doors and more hospital beds, offering brave young patients more comfort and improved facilities that include:

• An expanded patient care unit, with more rooms and dedicated areas for families and patients,
• Larger patient rooms, with state-of-the-art amenities for occupants,
• Dedicated rooms with specialized air purification to help prevent infections,
• A larger family room with a sitting area (including a TV, DVD, computer access, and a “family-style” kitchen) conducive for building life-long friendships, and
• An on-site activity room set aside for Aflac patients, complete with computers, gaming systems, and toys.

In May 2008, the Aflac Cancer Center opened a new, 10-bed blood and marrow transplant (BMT) unit, raising the facility’s inpatient capacity to 34 beds. The team also celebrated and helped fund the new Atlanta Ronald McDonald Gatewood House, which cares for high-risk children receiving medical treatment at the Aflac Cancer Center.

Researchers conducted a new experimental therapy drug development study, which was a finalist for the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Healthcare Hero Awards and is being used in trials for both adults and children. Additional scientists completed a new study in sickle cell disease, exploring disparity in efforts to find a cure. They also conducted a new and unique brain mapping study of sickle cell disease to better examine how the disease affects the brain.

Aflac was honored to accept the 2007 Partnership Award, and is honored more by the affiliations forged with leading health care providers and cancer researchers in the nation. Aflac values its corporate citizenship, but more importantly the company values the hope and the advanced treatment provided to every child and every family who comes into contact with the Aflac Cancer Center.

Buffy Swinehart is Manager of Philanthropy & Cause-Related Marketing at Aflac

Comments

[Mecaria]

The Aflac Cancer Center is committed to providing our pediatric patients a brighter future through advanced medical treatment, family centered care, a child friendly environment and innovative research. Directed by pediatric hematologists or oncologists, our multidisciplinary team offers children and families the emotional, physical and spiritual support they need.
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Mecaria

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