Aflac #Duckprints Campaign for Childhood Cancer Soars Past 2016 Goal

COLUMBUS, Ga., Feb. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the U.S., announced today that it exceeded its 2016 goal for social interactions regarding the company's #Duckprints campaign for childhood cancer. The year-long campaign rallied people across America to become active in the fight against pediatric cancer by asking them to create or share posts related to childhood cancer using the hashtag #Duckprints on social media. For each social media activity, Aflac pledged to contribute $2, up to $1.5 million. All told, there were more than 900,000 social media engagements across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, making this the first time that the program, which began in 2013, has reached its goal of $1.5 million in contributions.

"We are proud to have achieved and even exceeded our 2016 goal, which drew hundreds of thousands of people into this much-needed conversation about childhood cancer," Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos said. "But this is just one step on the way to achieving our highest goal of all and that's eradicating childhood cancer, because every child deserves a lifetime and every family deserves to be whole."

Aflac uses social media, traditional media, live events across the country, and word of mouth within the extended Aflac family to raise awareness of the Duckprints program and for childhood cancer, a disease that will see 16,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The company also promotes and participates in events like CureFest and the Washington Post's Chasing Cancer forum, which provides highly visible platforms to shine a bright light on challenges facing children and families affected by cancer. In addition to facilitating a national conversation, Aflac honors heroes at children's cancer hospitals coast to coast who are leaving their footprints in the fight against cancer by awarding them with special Duckprints awards. At each event, patients, nurses, advocates, families and nonprofits are recognized for their significant contributions to battling pediatric cancer.

Childhood cancer is the No. 1 cause of death by disease for children under the age of 15, according to the National Cancer Institute. Yet, less than 4 percent of federal funding for cancer research goes to pediatric cancer, according to the I Care I Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Since 1995, Aflac has raised more than $113 million for childhood cancer awareness, research and treatment. In fact, each month, more than 16,000 of Aflac's independent sales associates contribute over $500,000 from their commission checks to the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta, which is rated among the top-10 pediatric cancer hospitals in America by U.S. News and World Report.

Social engagements that trigger a $2 donation include:

Twitter - $2 for any tweet using the hashtag #Duckprints or for retweets of Duckprints-related tweets.
Facebook - $2 for any share, like, comment or video view of specific posts related to Duckprints or by using the hashtag #Duckprints.
YouTube - $2 per view of the Duckprints videos on YouTube.
Instagram - $2 for every post using the hashtag #Duckprints.

Aflac also has a website (aflacduckprints.com) that enables users to nominate unsung heroes in their community who make a difference in the lives of children and families facing cancer. Merchandise such as plush Aflac ducks and Duckprints-related T-shirts, slippers and other items are available for purchase at aflacduckprints.com, with all of the net proceeds going toward the treatment and research of childhood cancer. 

About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite. Through its trailblazing One Day Pay^SM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. In Japan, Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures one in four households. Aflac insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For 10 consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2016, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for the 18th consecutive year and included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 15th time, ranking the company No. 1 in innovation for the insurance, life and health category for the second consecutive year. In 2015, Aflac's contact centers were recognized by J.D. Power by providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" for the Live Phone Channel. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One Day Pay^SM, visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.

Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.

Media contacts – Jon Sullivan, 706.763.4813 or [email protected]

Analyst and investor contact – Robin Y. Wilkey, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX: 706.324.6330, or [email protected]

SOURCE Aflac

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