Ethan Martin and Taylor Hightower honored at Turner Field

COLUMBUS, Ga., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac has announced that 3B/RHP Ethan Martin from Stephens County High School and C Taylor Hightower from Cartersville High School have been named to the 2007 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic roster where they will compete in a game benefiting pediatric cancer research and treatment. The high school athletes will be honored on field during a pre-game ceremony at Turner Field on May 24 where they will be presented with their official team jersey by Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and catcher Brian McCann.

The fifth annual Aflac Classic is a showcase of the country's top rising high school seniors in an East versus West match-up. The game will be played on Aug. 11 at San Diego State's Tony Gwynn Stadium. It will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net at 3 p.m. Eastern. As a part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, all game proceeds from the 2007 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic will benefit San Diego's Rady Children's Hospital.

The Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic is endorsed by many of the game's pillars, including Major League Baseball. This year, Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith will serve as the game's honorary chairman.

"I'm thrilled to join Aflac in honoring the stars of tomorrow -- the very best high school players across the country -- in San Diego, my first major league home," Smith said. "I wish a game like this existed back when I was in high school, and I can only imagine how special it will be for these young men to get such national recognition and exposure."

Since 1995, Aflac's support has helped make the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta one of the leading childhood cancer hematology, and blood and marrow transplant programs in the country. Aflac has raised nearly $35 million in donations to the Aflac Cancer Center.

Today's announcement is the latest official stop of the 2007 Aflac National Selection Tour. The selection tour is a multi-city tour that travels to the hometowns of the Aflac All-Americans to announce their official selection to the team. Coaches Curing Kids' Cancer, an organization dedicated to pediatric cancer treatment and research is the official beneficiary for each Aflac tour stop.

On Tuesday night, Aflac hosted Braves Night at Turner Field for Aflac Cancer Center children and their families. The event, that began more than a decade ago, is a fun-filled night that treats the patients and their loved ones to an evening of baseball - an ambiance away from the treatment facilities that they may be accustomed to.

The first baseball night was sponsored in 1996 with one participating hospital - now that partnership has increased to include over 15 hospitals and Major League Baseball parks around the country.

Baseball America and Perfect Game are the official selection partners for the event and choose the players for their accomplishments both on, and off the field, including their involvement in the community.

Sports America, Inc., is a sports marketing and event management firm based out of Rockville, Md., which created and currently produces the Aflac Classic. Sports America also produces the McDonald's All-American High School Basketball Game and Jordan Classic High School All-Star Basketball Game.

To learn more about the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic, or dates and stops on the official selection tour, visit www.aflacallamerican.com.

For more than 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan. Our insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. Aflac has been included in Fortune magazine's listing of America's Most Admired Companies for seven consecutive years and in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for nine consecutive years. Aflac has also been recognized three times by both Fortune magazine's listing of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and Working Mother magazine's listing of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers. 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 www.aflac.com.

Media Contacts:
Tim Turner
Aflac Incorporated
706-243-5594
trturner@aflac.com

SOURCE Aflac