ATLANTA, March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In its ongoing support of the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Aflac announced that it has reached more than $40 million in contributions to the Center, making it the largest corporate supporter of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

"With financial resources provided by Aflac, we have been able to recruit national leaders in the fields of pediatric cancer, sickle cell disease and experimental therapy and have also established a thriving program for cancer survivors," said William G. Woods, M.D., director for the Aflac Cancer Center. "These leaders are conducting important lab and clinical research and helping to bring innovative treatments to patients at the bedside - not just in Georgia, but nationwide."

Thousands of Aflac field force members across the country and the Aflac Foundation together have funded four endowed chairs at the Aflac Cancer Center, each of which provides critical funding in perpetuity for key positions at the Center. At Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, receiving a chair signifies a monetary endowment for a specific program directed by a physician or researcher. To date, Aflac has funded the following chairs:

-- Dr. William G. Woods - The Daniel P. Amos Children's Chair for the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service

-- Dr. Donald Durden - The Aflac Field Force Cancer Experimental Therapy Chair

-- Dr. Lillian R. Meacham - The Kathelen V. Amos Children's Chair for Cancer Survivorship

-- Dr. Peter Lane - The Aflac Field Force Children's Chair for Sickle Cell Disease

Over the years, Aflac's contributions have also been used to fund other critical needs, including new inpatient and outpatient facilities, a new state-of-the-art pediatric research building, and endowments for the Family Support Team and Fellowship Program.

In addition to the company's donations, both Aflac employees and field force members support patients and their families by volunteering personal time to play bingo, to take them to Aflac-sponsored events, and to attend the annual Braves Baseball Night with them in Atlanta.

"We became involved with the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta more than 13 years ago to help discover treatments and cures for pediatric cancer and blood disorders," stated Daniel Amos, chairman and chief executive officer of Aflac. "Today, it is recognized as one of the leading pediatric cancer, hematology, and blood and marrow transplantation programs in the country, treating more than 325 new cancer patients each year and following more than 2,000 patients with sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other blood disorders."

The Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service provides advanced diagnostic and clinical care, as well as innovative treatment and research options to children, adolescents and young adults.

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 Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 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. Operating three hospitals with more than half a million patient visits annually, Children's is recognized for excellence in cancer, cardiac, neonatal, orthopaedic and transplant services, as well as many other pediatric specialties. To learn more about Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, visit our Web site at www.choa.org or call 404-250-KIDS.

About the 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 325 new cancer patients each year and follows more than 2,000 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 top three 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.

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Aflac Incorporated

Aflac Incorporated

Aflac is a Fortune 500 company, providing financial protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. When a policyholder or insured gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fairly, promptly and directly to the insured. For more than six decades, Aflac voluntary insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress.

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