HOUSTON, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the
leading provider of voluntary insurance in the United States, presented its 2014
Duckprints Award to local heroes at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Children's Art Project in Houston.
The Duckprints Award is Aflac's way of honoring people who have
left their footprints in the fight against childhood cancer. The
event, held at MD Anderson, recognized the following three
individuals who have dedicated themselves to this cause.
- Caitlyn Mortus — who faced
Burkitt's lymphoma at age 13 which inspired her to get involved
with Children's Art Project during her treatment at MD
Anderson.
- Mia Gradney – news anchor at
Houston's KHOU-TV and a huge
friend to the Children's Art Project, who includes the program in
many of her philanthropic efforts.
- Kendra Scott – jewelry designer
who has consistently given back to the hospital by hosting
promotional events for the Children's Art Project.
"Aflac is proud to honor these three caring individuals who have
worked selflessly to help eradicate children's cancer," said
Kathelen Amos, President of the
Aflac Foundation. "Their unrelenting concern for people who need
them most exemplifies the values that Aflac, our employees and our
independent agents who give so generously for this worthy cause,
value so dearly. We are pleased to present them with our Duckprints
award."
"The Children's Art Project provides our young patients with an
opportunity to create original artwork which is featured on gift
merchandise benefiting important patient programs," said
Shannan Murray, executive director
of the program. "We're honored Aflac is recognizing the
talents of our patients and those who have given so much over the
years, which has enabled us to return more than $31 million since our beginning."
Earlier this year, Aflac announced its goal of exceeding the
$100 million mark for contributions
to childhood cancer by the end of 2015. Since 1995, the company has
raised and contributed $90 million,
including monthly contributions of more than $400,000 from the company's independent sales
agents. As part of the Duckprints campaign, Aflac is calling on
unsung heroes across America to become active in the cause. People
can get involved by taking to social media to talk about childhood
cancer. Aflac will donate $2 for any
duckprints-related social actions taken on various social mediums
up to $2 million. Related social
actions include:
- Twitter - $2 for tweets using the
hashtag #duckprints or retweets of duckprints related tweets
- Facebook - $2 for any share of
specific posts related to duckprints or using #duckprints
- YouTube Views - $2 per every view of the duckprints videos
on YouTube
- ShareThis - $2 for every
duckprints related video shared
To support the Aflac Duckprints initiative, Aflac also created a
website called 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 will be available for purchase at aflacduckprints.com
with all of the net proceeds going toward the treatment and
research of childhood cancer.
About Duckprints Award Recipient Caitlyn Mortus, Katy TX
A diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma at age 13 inspired Caitlyn Mortus to get involved with the
Children's Art Project during her treatment at MD Anderson. After
intense and ultimately successful treatment from the doctors and
nurses at MD Anderson, Caitlyn became a regularly featured
designer, with seven designs featured in the 2013 collection
alone.
Additionally, Caitlyn has participated in Camp A. O. K. (funded
by the Children's Art Project) each of the last four years, where
she learned that being bald was no big deal at camp as all the
other kids understood – they were patients, too.
Her desire to help others grew out of her treatment and also
inspired her to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist so she can
help patients the same way doctors once helped her. Caitlyn
completed high school this year and looks forward to attending the
University of Texas at Tyler to start
her college journey in the classroom and on the soccer field.
Caitlyn returned this year with her "Ladybugs" design featured
in the Valentine collection, and her "Button Tree" design is
planned to be featured on a 2014 Holiday card. Visit
http://www.childrensart.org/ to see her beautiful work.
About Duckprints Award Recipient Mia Gradney, Houston, TX
KHOU 11 News Reporter/Anchor Mia Gradney is a huge fan and friend
of MD Anderson's Children's Art Project. A native Houstonian and
three-time Emmy award winning anchor/host, reporter and producer,
Mia has covered everything from Hollywood premieres, to hurricanes and health
headlines, but always makes time to assist the Children's Art
Program in any way that she can. Mia frequently involves the
program in her philanthropic and community efforts and hosts events
benefiting the Children's Art Project.
About Duckprints Award Recipient Kendra Scott, Austin, TX
In 2002, with just $500, Kendra Scott launched a mini-jewelry
collection. Today, Kendra Scott Jewelry is a global;
multimillion-dollar brand sold at renowned retailers like
Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus,
Bloomingdales and more than 1,000 specialty boutiques worldwide.
After Kendra's stepfather became ill she became "forever grateful
for his treatment and care while at MD Anderson."
Philanthropy is a driving force for this savvy entrepreneur
and mother to three boys, so it is no surprise that MD Anderson's
youngest patients hold a very special place in her heart. Kendra
has consistently given back to the hospital by hosting promotional
events and raising donations for Children's Art Project.
About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt,
Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For nearly 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. In Japan, Aflac is the number one life insurance
company in terms of individual policies in force. Aflac individual
and group insurance products help provide protection to more than
50 million people worldwide. For eight consecutive years, Aflac has
been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most
Ethical Companies. In 2014, FORTUNE magazine recognized Aflac as
one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 16th
consecutive year. Also, in 2014, FORTUNE magazine included Aflac on
its list of Most Admired Companies for the 13th time, ranking the
company number one in the life and health insurance category. 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 or espanol.aflac.com.
Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of
Columbus and American Family Life
Assurance Company of New York.
About MD Anderson
The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most
respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research,
education and prevention. MD Anderson is one of only 41
comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer
Institute (NCI). For the past 25 years, MD Anderson has ranked as
one of the nation's top two cancer centers in U.S. News & World
Report's annual "Best Hospitals" survey. MD Anderson receives a
cancer center support grant from the NCI of the National Institutes
of Health (P30 CA016672).
Media contacts – Jon Sullivan,
706.763.4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
William Fitzgerald (MD Anderson)
713.792.9518 or WBFitzgerald@mdanderson.org
Analyst and investor contact – Robin Y.
Wilkey, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX: 706.324.6330, or
rwilkey@aflac.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140723/129995
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100423/CL92305LOGO
SOURCE Aflac