Aflac Inc - AFL STOCK NEWS

Aflac, in collaboration with legendary Coach Dawn Staley, delivered My Special Aflac Duck to 16 pediatric sickle cell patients at Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Midlands. This cuddly, robotic companion helps children communicate feelings, prepare for medical procedures, and practice distraction techniques. The sickle cell version features a special cape mimicking a blanket, addressing patients' sensitivity to temperature changes.

Since 2018, Aflac has distributed over 31,000 ducks to children in the US, Japan, and Northern Ireland, with nearly one-third given to sickle cell patients. Aflac's commitment to pediatric cancer and blood disorders has led to contributions exceeding $184 million since 1995. Healthcare providers can order My Special Aflac Duck free of charge for eligible children at MySpecialAflacDuck.com.

The 24th annual WSB Care-a-Thon, benefiting the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, raised a record-breaking $2.1 million. This brings the total raised over 24 years to more than $34 million. The funds will support family services, research, and the Fellowship Program at the center.

Aflac's Chairman and CEO Dan Amos and Kathelen Amos made a special contribution, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. Ines Rodriguez Gutzmer, Aflac's senior VP and chief communications officer, highlighted the company's long-standing commitment to supporting children with cancer and blood disorders. The event showcased the generosity of donors and the positive impact on children's lives.

Aflac's Connecticut team has been actively involved in community service since 2021. They collaborate with ReadyCT, assisting over 500,000 low-income students in Connecticut public schools by providing career guidance. The team also supports the Cove Center for Grieving Children, helping with Camp Compassion, a fully funded camp for young people who have lost loved ones. Aflac employees recently participated in a golf tournament, raising nearly $70,000 for the Cove Center. These initiatives demonstrate Aflac's commitment to making a positive impact beyond profitability, emphasizing that care is at Aflac's core.

Aflac, the leading U.S. supplemental health insurance provider, has launched its 2024-2025 college football ad campaign featuring Nick Saban, Deion 'Coach Prime' Sanders, and the Aflac Duck. The campaign, now in its fourth season, aims to raise awareness about how Aflac helps cover expenses that health insurance doesn't.

Two new commercials, 'Name, Injury, Likeness' and 'Gone Fishing,' will debut on August 31. The campaign includes a unique partnership with the University of Colorado, where Coach Prime and his staff will wear custom Aflac-branded headsets during games. Aflac is also sponsoring the Aflac Kickoff Game between Clemson and Georgia on August 31 in Atlanta.

Nigel Graham, an Aflac employee and volunteer firefighter, discovered prostate cancer during a routine wellness exam. Despite being health-conscious and symptom-free, the early detection allowed for successful treatment without chemotherapy or radiation. Graham's experience highlights the importance of regular health check-ups, especially for prostate cancer awareness.

Now cancer-free, Graham completed a Spartan Ultra race in November 2023 and advocates for men to prioritize their health. Aflac emphasizes the significance of wellness checks through Graham's story and their 2024 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey, available at Aflac.com/WellnessMatters.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey visited the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, kicking off festivities for the upcoming Aflac Kickoff Game. Bailey, a former University of Georgia star, spent time with children and families, signing autographs and distributing My Special Aflac Duck® robotic companions. The visit was part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to supporting children with cancer and blood disorders.

Aflac U.S. President Virgil R. Miller and Dr. Jason Payne joined Bailey in delivering the award-winning robotic ducks, which have been proven to help patients and parents cope with treatment-related anxiety and stress. To date, Aflac has distributed over 31,000 ducks across the United States, Japan, and Northern Ireland. The event highlighted Aflac's dedication to community support and childhood cancer awareness.

Aflac, a major insurance company, has sponsored the Alex English Basketball Camp in Columbia, South Carolina. The camp, hosted by NBA Hall of Famer Alex English through his Let's Share Foundation, aims to empower youth from underserved areas by teaching basketball skills and life lessons. Bob Ruff, Aflac's senior VP of Group Voluntary Benefits, visited the camp to share insights on positive attitude, teamwork, and practice, drawing parallels between sports and business success.

Aflac's sponsorship provided scholarships for 20 youth to attend the camp free of charge, demonstrating the company's commitment to community support and youth development. This initiative aligns with Aflac's broader culture of care and efforts to extend support to those in need.

Aflac has introduced a dedicated cancer care line to provide specialized support for policyholders with first-time cancer diagnoses. This initiative, part of Aflac's 'cancer ecosystem' approach to claims, allows callers to bypass the regular queue and connect directly with specially trained customer care specialists. The team of 17 specialists, many of whom have personal experiences with cancer, handles approximately 3,000 cancer-related calls per month.

Keith Farley, Senior VP of Individual Voluntary Benefits at Aflac, emphasizes the importance of human interaction in these sensitive situations, stating, 'When you've been diagnosed with a disease like cancer, you may just want to talk to a human.' The specialists focus on providing empathetic support and guidance through the claims process, resulting in higher-than-average customer feedback.

Aflac employees have volunteered at Feeding the Valley Food Bank, providing nearly 45,000 meals for those facing food insecurity in the Chattahoochee Valley. The company's involvement includes a $290,000 donation for expanding the food bank's Midland, Georgia location, which now features the Aflac Hunger Action Center. This expansion has increased storage capacity by 75%, allowing for an additional 2 million pounds of dry food and 5 million pounds of fresh produce annually. In 2023, Feeding the Valley distributed over 15 million pounds of food across 18 counties in Georgia and Alabama. Aflac teams regularly volunteer, packing mobile pantry boxes and buddy packs to support families and children in need.