Aflac and Macy's Team up to Help Local Children's Hospitals Across the NationCOLUMBUS, Ga., Oct 31, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- For the eighth consecutive year,
Aflac will introduce a new plush duck for the holidays. The Aflac Holiday Duck
will be available starting November 1 at participating Macy's department
stores and online at www.aflacholidayduck.com . Proceeds from the sale of the
Holiday Duck go toward helping children with pediatric cancer in the area
where the duck is purchased.
"Families are increasingly seeing their children survive this difficult
disease," said Buffy Swinehart, Cause-Related Marketing manager at Aflac. "The
research and treatment being done at hospitals across the country is saving
lives, and we are proud that the Aflac Duck is playing a role in helping these
courageous children and in making for a happier holiday season."
"The Aflac Ducks have become a holiday collectible and our customers and
employees love them," said Ellen Fruchtman, Macy's divisional vice president
of public relations in Atlanta. "We are proud that 212 Macy's central stores
are taking part in an initiative that will support 35 children's hospitals
across the nation."
This year, as in years past, the Holiday Duck is dressed to thrill even
the most finicky shoppers in its wintry garb, and it is likely to soar off of
shelves. Since 2001, Aflac has sold thousands of Holiday Ducks, raising more
than $2 million for the cure and treatment of pediatric cancer. The proceeds
are shared by children's hospitals across the nation where the ducks are sold.
The Holiday Duck is available in two sizes. The six-inch model sells for
$10 while the larger, 10-inch model costs $15. Both models have the duck
dressed in a red parka and sweater set with a warm winter hat and pom-poms.
Each duck quacks the familiar "Aflaaac" when squeezed.
Aflac makes pediatric cancer research and the Aflac Cancer Center in
Atlanta its primary charitable cause, donating more than $40 million since
1998.
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.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081031/CLF064 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO )
Media Contacts: Analyst and Investment Contact:
Laura Kane Kenneth S. Janke Jr.
Aflac Incorporated Aflac Incorporated
706.596.3493 1.800.235.2667, Option 3; Fax: 706.324.6330
lkane@aflac.com kjanke@aflac.com
Jon A. Sullivan
Aflac Incorporated
706.596.3493
jsullivan@aflac.com
SOURCE Aflac
http://www.aflacholidayduck.com