Aflac and NASCAR Driver Carl Edwards to Induct Local Cancer Survivor into Crew of Courage During Carfax 400 at Michigan International Speedway

Michigan Resident to Be Honored with VIP At-Track Experience

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Aug 12, 2010, 09:00 ET

COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the No. 1 provider of voluntary and guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, and the No. 99 Aflac Roush Fenway Team today announced that Michigan resident and cancer survivor Donald Selfridge will be inducted as the newest member of the Aflac Crew of Courage. The ceremony will happen during the Carfax 400 race at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 15. The Aflac Crew of Courage is a program spotlighting stories of amazing bravery.

Selfridge, a resident of Big Rapids, Mich., has overcome kidney cancer while facing the added problem of living some 200 miles away from his hospital and doctors. As a result, he regularly drove more than 400 miles round-trip to receive treatment in Dearborn, Mich. Selfridge's Aflac cancer insurance policy helped cover his travel costs and other expenses.

In select race markets this season, Aflac Racing and Edwards are welcoming inspirational Aflac policyholders into the Crew of Courage and giving them VIP experiences at their local racetracks. Selected Crew of Courage members share one-on-one time with Edwards and receive special access to the garage and pit areas, as well as tickets to the race. What's more, Edwards honors Aflac Crew of Courage members by wearing their names on feather-shaped stickers on his helmet throughout the season. Aflac Crew of Courage members also receive autographed replica race helmets as mementos of their experiences.

"I continue to be impressed by the determination Aflac policyholders show in the face of adversity and am proud to have Donald as my guest this weekend and to honor him as a member of the Crew of Courage," said Edwards.

Crew of Courage members are Aflac policyholders who know firsthand how the company helps individuals in times of need. They received benefits from Aflac when they were sick or hurt and couldn't work, to help pay for expenses not covered by other major insurance policies.

"I probably wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the help I received from Aflac," Selfridge said. "It turns out I've had to drive greater distances for my treatment than Carl will in Sunday's race. The benefits from my cancer policy allowed me to receive care from my hospital of choice without having to worry about the cost of travel."

To recognize Selfridge for his courageous recovery, he will be treated to an exclusive at-track race experience where he'll have the opportunity to meet Edwards — his favorite driver, as it turns out — and have lunch with the Aflac Racing Team.

"Policyholders like Donald Selfridge are what make the Aflac Crew of Courage special," said Danny Fleishman, vice president of sponsorships and emerging markets at Aflac. "The strength and determination he's shown during such a difficult life challenge is admirable, and we hope that by sharing his story he can provide inspiration to others."

The Crew of Courage officially launched at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, the anniversary of Edwards' 2009 last-lap, airborne crash. Blake Bobbitt, a racing fan injured in the Talladega crash, was honored as the program's inaugural member. Bobbitt was covered by an Aflac hospital confinement indemnity insurance policy that paid cash benefits she could use to help with things like recovery expenses.

On May 16, Aflac and Edwards inducted Delaware resident Malania Smith into the Crew of Courage during the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway. After suffering an ankle injury that required surgery and a lengthy recovery, Smith battled through her rehabilitation. An Aflac accident insurance policy helped Smith by paying cash benefits she used to cover some of her most costly bills.

Most recently, during the Brickyard 400 on July 25, Indianapolis resident Jerry Snyder, a throat, tongue and lung cancer survivor, became the third member of the Aflac Crew of Courage. Aflac cancer and intensive care insurance policies provided cash benefit relief quickly to Snyder when he needed it most to help cover his mortgage, car payments and everyday living expenses.

The Aflac Crew of Courage experience extends beyond the track. Other Aflac policyholders are invited to join the online Crew of Courage by visiting aflacracing.com and submitting a video to share their own stories of personal triumph — with the possibility of being selected by Edwards for a future at-track experience.

For more information, visit aflacracing.com.

About Aflac

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For 55 years, 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 insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force. Aflac insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For four consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies, and Forbes magazine named Aflac as America's Best-Managed Company in the Insurance category. In 2010, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the twelfth consecutive year and also included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the ninth time. 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.

About Roush Fenway Racing

Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR's largest team operating eight motorsports teams. Four in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; and four in the Nationwide Series with Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Colin Braun, Brian Ickler, and Paul Menard. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. Become a fan of Roush Fenway Racing on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow us on Twitter @roushfenway. For sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.