Aflac and Macy's partner for the sixth holiday season to raise funds for children's hospitals

COLUMBUS, Ga., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aflac Duck fans and retail shoppers looking to experience the joys of giving back to a worthy cause this holiday season are in for a special treat as collectible plush versions of the popular duck go on sale at participating Macy's stores nationwide starting November 6 with proceeds benefiting hospitals treating children with cancer. This year marks the sixth season that Aflac and the department store have partnered to sell the Aflac Holiday Ducks raising more than $1 million since the program began.

"Aflac remains determined to do everything we can to raise money toward the cure and treatment of this illness that impacts so many children and their families," said Al Johnson, second vice president of Advertising and Branding at Aflac. "We are delighted that the Aflac Duck has become known as a champion for this important cause."

New to this year's Aflac Holiday Duck program are special gift cards also available for purchase at Macy's. The Aflac/Macy's Holiday Duck Gift Card will also benefit pediatric cancer research and treatment. Both the collectible ducks and gift cards will be available at 140 Macy's stores in 89 cities. Shoppers can also find out how to purchase Aflac Holiday Ducks and gift cards online at aflac.com. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the duck sales and a portion of the proceeds from the gift cards will benefit children's hospitals located in the same markets as participating Macy's stores. A total of 32 hospitals will benefit from in-store and online sales.

"Our customers and employees love the duck," said Ellen Fruchtman, Macy's divisional vice president of public relations in Atlanta. "We're pleased that the sale of these ducks is helping the hospitals to provide much - needed life-saving services to children living with cancer."

The limited-edition 2006 Holiday Ducks will arrive in stores dressed in Santa gear, complete with rosy-red cheeks, a bushy-white beard and a sack chock-full of gifts. When squeezed, the duck says, "Aflac, Aflac, Aflac!" The cost is $10 for a six-inch plush duck and $15 for the 10-inch version. This season's Holiday Duck Gift Card quacks the same as it's opened to reveal a snowflake-covered card with the Aflac logo. The gift cards can be purchased in any denomination over $5 and can also be used to purchase items through macys.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. Aflac's 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 six consecutive years. In January 2006, Aflac was included in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the eighth consecutive year. Aflac was also included in Fortune magazine's list of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities in August 2005, and in September 2005, Aflac Japan was named the Life Insurance Company of the Year at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards, sponsored by the Asia Insurance Review. 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.

Media Contacts:
Yolonda King
Aflac Incorporated
(706) 243-8547
yking@aflac.com

Mechell Clark
Aflac Incorporated
(706) 243-8004
meclark@aflac.com

SOURCE Aflac Incorporated