Aflac and Beads of Courage Continue Popular "Wingman" Program

COLUMBUS, Ga., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, announced that it has renewed its Aflac Duck Wingman program with Beads of Courage, a nonprofit, international organization that helps children chronicle their unique stories using beads that commemorate milestones and procedures during their treatment for cancer. Each bead represents a specific treatment that a child received or a milestone crossed throughout their journey.

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In 2010, Aflac teamed with Beads of Courage to create pewter Aflac Duck Wingman beads that are sponsored by caring people and given to children as they begin their treatments for a serious illness like cancer. The bead signifies to each child that he or she is not alone in his or her fight against the disease.

"Aflac is happy to continue our relationship with Beads of Courage whose mission to provide love and comfort to children facing cancer and other serious diseases," Aflac Foundation President Kathelen Amos said. "We are proud to lend our loveable corporate icon to serve as a wingman for these incredible children and families who inspire us all to work even harder to find a cure for childhood cancer."

For $5 people can go to beawingman.org and sponsor an Aflac Duck Wingman bead for a child. For $25 people can sponsor a flock of beads for five children and receive one of their own as thanks for being the ultimate wingman for children.  A portion of each donation goes to Beads of Courage to help maintain the popular not-for-profit program. To date, more than 7,000 children have received the Wingman bead.

"It is a privilege and honor to work with Aflac, to make the gift of the Aflac Duck Wingman Bead of Courage possible as an ongoing source of encouragement on tough treatment days for members of Beads of Courage. The Aflac Duck Wingman Bead is packaged with an intention card that delivers a powerful reminder to children that they are "never flying solo," states Jean Baruch, Executive Director of Beads of Courage, Inc. "We hope supporters will consider becoming a Wingman for a child coping with a serious illness, who participates in the Beads of Courage Program nationally."

Aflac has committed to provide 5,000 new Wingman beads for Beads of Courage, who will deliver the beads through their network of more than 145 hospitals across the country, including the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta.

About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For nearly six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one life insurance company in terms of individual policies in force. Aflac individual and group insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For six consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2013, FORTUNE magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 15th consecutive year. Also, FORTUNE magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 11th time in 2012. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.

About Beads of Courage, Inc. (a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization)
The mission of Beads of Courage, Inc. is to transform the treatment experience for children coping with cancer and other serious illness, their families, and the health care providers who care for them through innovative arts-in-medicine programs.  Through the flagship Beads of Courage Program®,  children receive colorful beads each which represent significant treatment milestones during their journey based on the Program Bead Guide. The Program strengthens resilience based outcomes and quality of life for participating children. Beads of Courage programs have helped thousands of children and their families at more than 150 participating hospitals. More information is available at www.beadsofcourage.org.

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SOURCE Aflac