Aflac commemorates National Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month
Company's 30-plus-year commitment results in major milestone, surpassing $200 million in contributions for treatment and research
COLUMBUS, Ga., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, a leading provider of supplemental health insurance and long-term supporter of families facing childhood cancer and blood disorders, is honoring National Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month by announcing that the company has surpassed the $200 million level of contributions to this cause. Primary supporter of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Aflac, its employees and its independent sales agents have been donating to the Center since 1995.
"Aflac's more than three-decade relationship with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center has resulted in many incredible achievements, including the center's evolution into one of the nation's most advanced childhood cancer and sickle cell centers in America," Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos said. "I could not be prouder of our company, our employees and our independent sales agents, who have contributed more than $131 million from their commission checks over the years. As a company whose mission is to help people when they need us most, I cannot think of a more appropriate cause than to help children cope with these terrible diseases."
To commemorate this milestone, the company has produced a video focusing on how childhood cancer treatment has evolved over the past 30 years, resulting in a current five-year survival rate of 85 percent.1 The video will appear on local television stations across the nation as well as on Aflac's social media channels.
As part of the activities around National Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, Aflac sponsored the Aflac Kickoff Game that aired Sept. 5 on the ABC Network, signaling the start of the 2026 college football season. Now in its fourth year, the Aflac Kickoff Game's Kickoff for a Cause philanthropic initiative has generated more than $1.2 million to support children and families in the community. This year's theme, "More Than a Name, More Than a Game," demonstrated how Aflac's commitment extends beyond its name through its support of patients and caregivers at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. As part of celebrating more than $200 million in contributions to the Center since 1995, Aflac hosted 200 current and former patients, family members and staff at the game between the Auburn University Tigers and the Baylor Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and recognized them during the game with special in-stadium honors.
"The impact of the $200 million milestone for Aflac cannot be overstated for the children and families at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center," said Shari Barkin, MD, MSHS, Pediatrician-in-Chief at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University. "Aflac has been an incredible partner for more than three decades, helping us to advance the treatment we provide our patients. Thanks in part to their incredible support, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is one of the leading pediatric cancer and blood disorders programs in the country, caring for more than 500 new cancer patients and more than 5,000 children with sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other blood disorders annually."
In keeping with its mission of support to pediatric cancer and blood disorders patients and siblings, the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation awarded 12 grants to Child Life programs across the country this month. Child Life programs help children and families cope with the emotional, developmental and psychological challenges of cancer treatment and hospitalization. In pediatric cancer centers, Child Life specialists help ensure that children can continue to learn, play, express emotions and maintain a sense of normalcy during intensive medical care. Ninety-five grants totaling $176,500 have been awarded since 2019.
This year's recipients are James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital; WVU Medicine; Children's Miracle Network at KU Medical Center; Whip Pediatric Cancer; Seattle Children's Hospital; Phoenix Children's Hospital; Mayo Clinic Children's Hospital; Children's of Alabama; Good Samaritan University Hospital; Dell Children's Medical Center; Rady Children's Health of Orange County; and Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.
September also marks the 10th anniversary of the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation's $6.2 million partnership with Children's Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada, many of which have assisted in the distribution of My Special Aflac Duck® to children facing cancer and sickle cell disease. The award-winning robotic companion is designed to address psychosocial needs of pediatric patients by helping with communication, understanding treatment through medical play, and providing comfort and distraction through art, music and more. Nearly 50,000 children ages 3 and up across the U.S., Japan and Northern Ireland have received the cuddly companion free of charge since 2018.
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than seven decades 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.2 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force.3 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 20 consecutive years (2026) and Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 25 years (2026). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/español. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Aflac's $200 million milestone represent?
A: The milestone reflects more than three decades of support from Aflac, its employees and its independent sales agents for childhood cancer and blood disorder treatment, research, patient care and family support programs. Since 1995, these contributions have helped advance the work of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and support initiatives benefiting pediatric patients and their families across the country.
Q: How does Aflac support children with cancer and sickle cell disease beyond financial contributions?
A: In addition to funding treatment, research and patient support programs, Aflac helps improve the patient experience through initiatives such as My Special Aflac Duck®, a robotic companion designed to provide comfort, encourage communication and support medical play for children facing cancer and sickle cell disease. Aflac also supports awareness campaigns, family-centered events, Child Life programs and partnerships with organizations such as Children's Miracle Network hospitals to help children and families throughout their treatment journey.
Q: Why does Aflac focus on childhood cancer and sickle cell disease?
A: Childhood cancer and sickle cell disease can have life-changing physical, emotional and financial impacts on children and their families. For decades, supporting these patients has been central to Aflac's commitment to helping people when they need it most. Through investments in treatment, research, Child Life programs, patient support initiatives and innovations such as My Special Aflac Duck®, Aflac works to improve outcomes and quality of life for children facing these serious illnesses while supporting the families who care for them.
1 Childhood Cancer | American Cancer Society ; Childhood Cancer Key Statistics | American Cancer Society, accessed August 31, 2026
2 LIMRA 2025 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report
3 As of March 31, 2025, Aflac estimates based on company data
Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or [email protected]
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or [email protected]
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