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
PaySM 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
PaySM, 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 jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact – Robin Y.
Wilkey, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX: 706.324.6330, or
rwilkey@aflac.com
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SOURCE Aflac