Aflac Goes Pink with Gifts that Give Back to Breast Cancer Research

News provided by

Oct 11, 2016, 09:06 ET

COLUMBUS, Ga., Oct. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States, today announced that it is once again supporting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month through its national "This Duck Wears Pink" initiative. The company has created exclusive pink-themed Aflac Duck merchandise.

Donations and 100 percent of the net proceeds from all merchandise will go to the American Association for Cancer Research Foundation, the world's first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and preventing and curing the disease.

"Aflac's core mission is to support families in their times of need, which is why we are committed to the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, a disease that impacts hundreds of thousands of families across the country," said Catherine Blades, senior vice president of Corporate Communications at Aflac. "We are proud to invite everyone to join the fight with either a donation or by purchasing 'This Duck Wears Pink' merchandise this October in support of all who have been hurt by breast cancer."

"According to our recently released AACR Cancer Progress Report 2016, nearly 600,000 Americans will die from cancer this year, and although we continue to make extraordinary advances in cancer research, more funding is critical if scientists are to find more cures," said Mitch Stoller, executive director of the AACR Foundation. "We are grateful for Aflac's committed partnership and generous contributions to support breast cancer research demonstrated through continuing its 'This Duck Wears Pink' campaign for the third year in a row."

This is the third year that Aflac has created the much-loved pink plush Aflac Duck and other branded merchandise in support of its "This Duck Wears Pink" initiative and the AACR Foundation. This year, gifts that give back include:

The popular 6-inch plush duck sporting an Aflac-branded pink hat, pink ribbon on its chest, and two pink and white pom-poms to help spread cheer to breast cancer survivors and supporters.
A newly designed T-shirt with a bold blue background and bright pink accents.
A pink-themed hat, rubber wristbands, a lapel pin and more.

Fans can also show their support by engaging with the Aflac Duck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #thisduckwearspink throughout the month of October.

Aflac was founded upon its flagship cancer insurance policy and has been committed to the fight against cancer for the past 20 years.

To purchase merchandise, donate to the cause or learn more, visit www.aflacchildhoodcancer.org.

About the American Association for Cancer Research
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 37,000 laboratory, translational and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 108 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with nearly 19,500 attendees. In addition, the AACR publishes eight prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration and scientific oversight of team science and individual investigator grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

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 leading provider of 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 1 in 4 households. Aflac individual and group 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.

Media contact – Kristen Fraser, 706.243.5543 or [email protected]

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

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161010/427027LOGO

SOURCE Aflac