COLUMBUS, Ga., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac and the American
Association for Cancer Research (AACR) today announced the presentation of
the first-ever AACR Career Development Award for Childhood Cancer Research,
endowed by Aflac to aid in the fight to cure pediatric cancer. The award,
which includes a two-year grant of $55,000 per year, was presented at
AACR's Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif., to Dr. Charles G. Mullighan, a
hematologist and hematopathologist pursuing research in the area of
molecular biology of acute leukemia. Dr. Mullighan conducts his research at
the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a world-renowned cancer research
facility located in Memphis, Tenn.
Dr. Mullighan was recommended for the Career Development Award by Dr.
James R. Downing, scientific director and chairman of the Pathology
Department at St. Jude. Dr. Downing noted that Dr. Mullighan as an
outstanding candidate for having conducted a three-year pioneering study
performing genomic profiling of pediatric acute leukemia.
"At Aflac, we believe that the road to conquering cancer is paved by
the best and brightest of our young scientists," said Aflac Foundation
President Kathelen Amos. "Aflac is proud to provide this endowment, which
will enable young cancer research pioneers to continue their studies until
we find a cure."
Praising Aflac's alliance, AACR Chief Executive Officer Margaret Foti,
Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), said, "For the past decade, Aflac has invested in
helping young scientists and doctors get the training they need at our
national meetings. Now, they have taken a giant step by supporting
researchers in childhood cancers. Together, AACR and Aflac will make a
difference in the lives of patients and their families."
In addition to the Career Development Award for Childhood Cancer
Research, Aflac is a longtime supporter of the AACR's Scholar in Training
Awards program, having contributed more than $1 million since 1997 and
given more than 750 Scholar in Training Awards to deserving scientists.
Aflac is also committed to enhancing the lives of children through
excellence in patient care, research and education at the Aflac Cancer
Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Children's, one of the top three pediatric healthcare systems in the
country, is a not-for-profit organization that benefits from the generous
philanthropic and volunteer support of the community. Visit
http://www.aflaccancercenter.org or call 404-250-KIDS for more information.
About Aflac
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 years and in Fortune magazine's
list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for ten 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
aflac.com.
About AACR
Founded in 1907, the AACR is a professional society of more than 22,000
laboratory and clinical scientists engaged in cancer research in the United
States, Canada and more than 60 other countries. AACR's mission is to
accelerate the prevention and cure of cancer through research, education,
communication and advocacy. Its principal activities include the
publication of five leading peer-reviewed scientific journals (Cancer
Research, Clinical Cancer Research, Molecular Cancer Research, Cancer
Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics).
About Dr. Charles Grenfell Mullighan
Dr. Charles Grenfell Mullighan, a native of South Australia, is a
hematologist and hematopathologist pursuing research in the molecular
biology of acute leukemia. He completed his hematology fellowship in
Australia in January 2004 and has served as a Physician Scientist
Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. James Downing, Department of
Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Media Contact:
Jon A. Sullivan
Aflac Incorporated
706.763.4813
jsullivan@aflac.com
Kenneth S. Janke Jr.
Aflac Incorporated
1.800.235.2667, Option 3;
Fax: 706.324.6330
kjanke@aflac.com