On Sept. 5, 200 volunteers, patients and families marched onto the field at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta, each representing a $1 million pledge that reflects more than three decades of Aflac’s commitment to children facing cancer and blood disorders.
Milestone announced
Aflac confirmed on Sept. 9 that total contributions to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta have topped $200 million. The milestone was highlighted during the Aflac Kickoff Game between Auburn and Baylor, where the company recognized 200 current and former patients, family members and care‑team staff through its “Kickoff for a Cause” initiative.
Impact on children and families
“Aflac’s more than three‑decade relationship with the Center has resulted in many incredible achievements, including the center’s evolution into one of the nation’s most advanced childhood cancer and sickle‑cell centers in America,” said Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos.
The Center now treats over 500 new cancer patients each year and serves more than 5,000 children with sickle‑cell disease, hemophilia and other blood disorders. Dr. Shari Barkin, pediatrician‑in‑chief at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and chair of Emory University’s Department of Pediatrics, noted that the $200 million milestone “cannot be overstated for the children and families at the Center.”
Employee and agent contributions
A significant portion of the funding comes from Aflac employees and independent sales agents, who have donated more than $131 million from their commission checks since the partnership began in 1995.
Community involvement at the game
Four current and former patients—Aiden Ramsay, Callie Cramer, Nico Leonardo and Mateo Hataway—served as honorary captains alongside college football legends Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III. Auburn invited patients and families to tour its facilities, while Baylor welcomed Ramsay, who lives with sickle‑cell disease, to join the team’s pre‑game walk.
Beyond the field: programs and technology
Aflac’s “My Special Aflac Duck,” a robotic companion that helps children understand treatment through medical play, has been provided free of charge to nearly 50,000 children since 2018. In September, Aflac also awarded 12 grants to Child Life programs nationwide; since 2019, a total of 95 grants amounting to $176,500 have supported families coping with the emotional and developmental challenges of cancer treatment.
Looking ahead
For Aflac, surpassing $200 million marks a continuation of a long‑standing tradition of giving. For the families served by the Atlanta center, the impact is measured in research breakthroughs, expanded treatment options, moments of comfort, and the simple joy of being children.
The visible celebration at the Sept. 5 game underscored that while numbers are impressive, the true story is about the lives changed and the hope renewed for countless Georgia families.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
