ATLANTA (Sept. 6, 2018) — Aflac Inc., the leader in voluntary insurance sales at U.S. worksites, today delivered the very first "My Special Aflac Ducks" to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. "My Special Aflac Duck," designed by Sproutel, is a social robot that uses medical play, lifelike movement and emotions to engage and help comfort kids during their cancer care. Today’s inaugural delivery follows more than 18 months of child-centered research conducted with children, parents and medical providers at the Aflac Cancer Center.
“This is a great day for Aflac and for the children and families at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center in Atlanta as we deliver the first 'My Special Aflac Ducks,'” said Dan Amos, Chairman and CEO at Aflac. “This is a wonderful way to engage our iconic Aflac duck in the fight against childhood cancer in a way that will help make kids happy. The entire Aflac family, our employees and independent agents are thrilled to make this very special delivery today.”
At the delivery event, attendees were treated to a demonstration of "My Special Aflac Duck," showcasing how it will help comfort children and serve as a tool for health care professionals to help their patients through difficult treatments. After the demonstration, children and their parents were sent on a fun scavenger hunt, finding clues and visiting various locations throughout the hospital, eventually leading them to the discovery of their very own "My Special Aflac Duck."
“The first chance to see 'My Special Aflac Duck' in the arms of patients makes today a red letter day. To expand the Aflac duck’s role to that of a tangible companion through the cancer journey of brave and special patients here and beyond is a wonderful opportunity for our duck and for Aflac,” said Kathelen Amos, President of The Aflac Foundation, Inc.
Later this year, Aflac will expand its "My Special Aflac Duck" campaign to hospitals across the country, providing a "My Special Aflac Duck" to any newly diagnosed child, ages 3 to 13, free of charge.
In addition to "My Special Aflac Duck," Sproutel has created a companion app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app can be downloaded on smartphones and tablets free of charge.
Additional features of "My Special Aflac Duck" include:
- Emotional expression: Seven RFID-enabled feeling cards help children communicate; the duck acts out a given feeling when that feeling card is tapped to its chest.
- Medical and nurturing play: A chemotherapy port allows children to mirror their care experiences during play, giving them a sense of control during the process. The duck’s no-cost companion app allows users to “bathe” it, “feed” it and give it “medicine” using augmented reality.
- Music, dancing and nuzzling: The duck dances when music is played. Customizable sounds include gentle waves, wind and a farm.
- Breathing and heartbeat: The duck produces a naturalistic heartbeat and deep breathing, which caregivers can incorporate into calming routines and exercises.
- Batteries and accessories: Provided so it is ready to use out of the box.
- Convenience: A removable skin, which can be washed to adhere to hospital hygiene standards.
“Thanks to companies like Aflac, we have come incredibly far in treating pediatric cancer over the past two decades, with more children growing up to lead happy and productive lives than ever before,” said Douglas K. Graham, MD, PhD, Director of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. “But whether it is a child or an adult, treatments for cancer can be very traumatic for patients and their families. 'My Special Aflac Duck' will help by providing comfort through play. We are grateful for Aflac and its continued dedication to not only fund treatments and research, but also for the authentic way that they care from the highest levels of the company to the newest employees.”
Since 1995, Aflac has contributed more than $125 million to the pediatric cancer cause, including more than $500,000 donated each month by 17,000 independent agents licensed to sell Aflac products. The funds are committed directly from their monthly commission checks. To see "My Special Aflac Duck" in action and to learn more about this important cause, visit aflacchildhoodcancer.org.