COLUMBIA, S.C., Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the
leading provider of voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in
the U.S. and a committed corporate ally in the fight against
childhood cancer, and Palmetto Health Children's Hospital proudly
presented Duckprints Awards to four heroes who have left their
footprints in the fight against childhood cancer. At the ceremony,
which was held at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital in
Columbia, South Carolina,
attendees also heard the story of DJ Fisher, a 17-year-old patient
at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, who provides invaluable
peer support to other children also undergoing cancer
treatment.
The master of ceremonies for the event was Todd Ellis, legendary Carolina Gamecock
quarterback and the current voice of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Ellis'
daughter Logan is a childhood cancer survivor. Also speaking at the
ceremony was Aflac Senior Vice
President, Chief Administrative Officer Virgil Miller.
The 2016 Duckprints Awardees are:
- Stacy R. Sawyer — a
valued advisor and advocate for CAMP KEMO, a weeklong summer camp
for patients ages 5-18 with cancer and their siblings, where she
served as chairwoman of CAMP KEMO's Advisory Council in 2014 and
2015, vice chairwoman in 2013 and on the council in 2006. She
receives this award posthumously; her memory lives on with the
success of CAMP KEMO.
- Paul and Sarah Towns —
longtime CAMP KEMO supporters who bring happiness to children each
year through Elgin Lights, a
Christmas lights show that honors Cole
Sawyer, who lost the fight to childhood cancer in 2004.
- Ronnie Neuberg, M.D. —
the Aflac medical director of the Children's Center for Cancer and
Blood Disorders at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital.
"The fight waged by Aflac and our partners like Palmetto
Children's Hospital on behalf of children with cancer and their
families remains a source of great pride, motivation and
inspiration for the broad Aflac family," Aflac Foundation President
Kathelen Amos said. "Each Duckprint
honoree has made a unique contribution, and leaves their own
indelible legacies in this ongoing effort, and this shared struggle
has forged a bond among us all."
Samuel Tenenbaum, president of
Palmetto Health Foundation, added, "Today's honorees inspire us
with their compassion and commitment and through our partnership
with Aflac, we are able to express our thanks in a lasting way to
these people who are making such a positive impact in the lives of
patients and their families. I congratulate each of them and am
proud that their place on our Wall of Fame is forever secure. We
are grateful to Aflac for touching our community in such a profound
way."
Over the last 20 years, Aflac has contributed more than
$108 million in the battle against
childhood cancer. As part of the grassroots Duckprints campaign,
Aflac is calling on people across America to become active in the
cause. Aflac donates $2 to the fight
against children's cancer for any Duckprints-related social media
activity on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram, up to a
$1.5 million maximum.
Aflac also created a website (aflacduckprints.com) that enables
users to nominate unsung heroes in their community who have made a
difference in the lives of children and families facing
cancer. People can follow the Aflac Duck on his journey to
hospitals around the country, honoring those who have made a
difference in the fight against childhood cancer. In addition,
merchandise such as plush Aflac Ducks and Duckprints-related
T-shirts, slippers and other items are available for purchase, with
all of the net proceeds going toward the treatment and research of
childhood cancer.
About Duckprints Award recipient Stacy R. Sawyer
Although her life ended much too soon, Stacy Sawyer left an indelible imprint on the
lives of countless children facing cancer. When her own son, Cole,
was diagnosed with cancer, Stacy and the entire Sawyer family
became intimately acquainted with the Children's Center for Cancer
and Blood Disorders at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. They
saw firsthand the specialized treatment and the caring staff and
physicians, and they became part of the family. Cole died at age 11
in 2004, and in spite of deep sorrow, Stacy worked tirelessly to
bring comfort to other patients and families affected by childhood
cancer. She knew how invaluable CAMP KEMO, a weeklong summer camp
for patients ages 5-18 with cancer and their siblings, was to the
hundreds of children and their brothers and sisters who enjoyed a
week at camp — a week of happiness and respite from trying times.
She began serving on the CAMP KEMO Advisory Council in 2006 and
served as its vice chair in 2013 and chair in 2014 and 2015. She
was a gifted advocate and fundraiser. She broadened her passion
last year when she spoke and helped organize an event at the
statehouse in September that recognized the small amount of federal
funding that is given to childhood cancer research. Stacy's
commitment to the success of CAMP KEMO is still felt by all who are
involved in the program.
About Duckprints Award recipients Paul and Sarah Towns
There's nothing quite like Christmas lights to bring joy to a
child. And Paul Towns, along with
his wife, Sarah, know how to make that happen in a big way. For
several years, Paul and Sarah elaborately decorated and lit their
home and yard to bring joy to neighbors and passersby. In 2004,
inspired by the death of 11-year-old Cole
Sawyer, Paul and Sarah decided to fully dedicate any
proceeds from Elgin Lights, a
magical show of Christmas lights, to honor the memory of Cole and
bring happiness to local children and their families during the
holidays. With hundreds of model trains and toys on display and
more than 40,000 lights, the Townses have invited families to their
property each year to experience hayrides and view the displays.
Over the years, the Townses have accepted contributions in a simple
milk jug in return for the lights display, and Sarah has
contributed proceeds from her Pampered Chef business. Together,
they have contributed more than $75,000 to CAMP KEMO programs since 2004. Paul is
battling cancer himself and knows firsthand the discomfort of
treatment. He loves nothing more than knowing that Elgin Lights helps children enjoy a week at camp
"just being kids."
About Duckprints Award recipient Ronnie Neuberg, M.D.
As a young child, Ronnie Neuberg
used to fake being sick so he could go to the doctor. He just loved
to go. How ironic that he chose to be a doctor for his profession.
Ron was the third of four children and the first to graduate from
college. In his fourth year of medical school, he did a pediatric
oncology elective at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, a cancer
center in Buffalo, New York. His
experiences with severely ill children and their families convinced
him that he wanted to help during the worst moments of a family's
life, when it really matters. And that's what he's been doing ever
since.
"Dr. Ron," as he is known by patients and staff, is currently
the Aflac medical director of the Children's Center for Cancer and
Blood Disorders at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. Although he
is gratified by his work each day, his favorite week of the year is
during CAMP KEMO, a weeklong overnight camp for children with
cancer and their siblings. For his lifelong work and devotion to
patients with cancer and their families, he is being honored with a
Duckprints Award.
About DJ Fisher
DJ Fisher is a 17-year-old student at Richland Northeast High
School. He was an avid lacrosse player until November 2015, when he was diagnosed with acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). At first, medical personnel thought
DJ was having a bad reaction to a flu shot, but after further
testing, it was determined to be cancer and treatment began
immediately.
Although DJ has had to face a lot in his young life, he has a
great attitude. He's developed great relationships with the team at
the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Palmetto
Health Children's Hospital and is part of the "welcome committee,"
greeting new patients and cheering them up. He is a participant in
Lasting Impressions, a group for patients ages 13–19 that provides
invaluable peer support for young cancer patients who experience
physical changes and emotional upheaval as a result of a
life-threatening disease and treatment. DJ went to CAMP KEMO, a
weeklong summer camp for patients ages 5-18 with cancer and their
siblings, for the first time this summer.
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 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 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
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.
About Palmetto Health Children's Hospital
Palmetto Health Children's Hospital is South Carolina's first children's hospital and
has more than 150,000 children's visits each year. It offers more
than 30 subspecialties to meet the unique health care needs of
children and has central South
Carolina's only Children's Emergency Center. With more than
350 professionals who work exclusively with children, Palmetto
Health Children's Hospital has a team of highly skilled and trained
experts unmatched by any hospital in the Midlands. Palmetto Health Children's Hospital
is the place to go for children's medical care, because the best
care matters.
About Palmetto Health Foundation
Palmetto Health Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
engages community partners to enhance health care for patients and
families served by Palmetto Health. For more information, visit
PalmettoHealthFoundation.org.
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Media contacts – Jon Sullivan,
706.763.4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Darcy Brito, 706.505.9762 or
dbrito@aflac.com
Ashley Dusenbury, APR (Palmetto
Health Foundation), 803.434-2738 or 803.730.4969 (cell), or
Ashley.Dusenbury@PalmettoHealth.org
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