ATLANTA, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- NASCAR superstar Carl Edwards today parked his No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion show car in front of the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston while he toured the hospital, visited young patients and signed autographs. During the tour, a special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to unveil the Carl Edwards Triage Room at the hospital. Mr. Edwards also accepted a special piece of racing-themed artwork presented by three young children from the cancer center along with Aflac president and COO Paul S. Amos II.

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"Aflac wants to continue raising public awareness about the progress being made in research and treatment for pediatric cancer at the Aflac Cancer Center," said Paul S. Amos II. "Naming this triage unit in honor of Carl Edwards demonstrates what Aflac and NASCAR can accomplish when two groups with similar goals are given the opportunity to work together for a greater good."

The Carl Edwards Triage Room is one of three rooms at the Aflac Cancer Center outpatient clinic where medical staff will take patients' vital signs and conduct preliminary tests. Every patient who comes to the Aflac Cancer Center for a clinic visit will stop in the triage area to ensure that they are able to receive treatments.

"The work being done at the Aflac Cancer Center is amazing and the children are inspirational," said Carl Edwards. "I am extremely honored that the Aflac Cancer Center has dedicated this room in my name as part of their ongoing efforts to fight against pediatric cancer and blood disorders."

"We cannot overstate how important generous organizations like Aflac and thoughtful athletes like Carl Edwards are to children across Georgia and in the surrounding southeastern region," said Dr. William G. Woods, director of the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "Philanthropic organizations and efforts to raise awareness of childhood cancer make it possible for our staff of physicians and nurses to fight the disease and get kids back to being kids."

Aflac is an official sponsor of NASCAR and the official supplemental insurance company for Carl Edwards and Roush Fenway Racing. Aflac will be the primary sponsor of Carl Edwards and the No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion in 2009.

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 www.aflac.com .

About Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

The Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is a national leader among childhood cancer, hematology, and blood and marrow transplant programs, serving infants to young adults. Recognized as one of the top five pediatric cancer centers in the country by Child magazine, the Aflac Cancer Center treats more than 350 new cancer patients each year and follows more than 2,500 patients with sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other blood disorders. The Aflac Cancer Center is one of many programs at Children's committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Children's, one of the leading pediatric healthcare systems in the country, is a not-for-profit organization that benefits from the generous philanthropic and volunteer support of our community. Visit www.aflaccancercenter.org or call 404-250-KIDS for more information.

Media Contact:

Analyst and Investor Contact
Laura Kane
Kenneth S. Janke Jr.
Aflac Incorporated
706.596.3493
1.800.235.2667, Option 3; Fax: 706.324.6330
lkane@aflac.com
kjanke@aflac.com

Brant Rawls
Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service
404.785.7577
Brant.rawls@choa.org

Additional Media Contacts:

Randy Fuller
Roush Fenway Racing
704.720.4635
rfuller@roushfenway.com

Jon A. Sullivan
Aflac Incorporated
706.573.7610
jsullivan@aflac.com

SOURCE Aflac