25 Sep, 2023, 16:14 ET
Kids receive special delivery of robotic Aflac ducks and enjoy a day of fun festivities during National Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Aflac, the leading provider of supplemental health insurance products in the U.S.1 and proud supporter of families of children with cancer and blood disorders like sickle cell disease (SCD), today delivered its award-winning My Special Aflac Duck to children at The University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital in Albuquerque. The duck delivery coincides with National Childhood Cancer Awareness and Sickle Cell Awareness Month, helping to bring attention to the challenges that children and families face when confronted with pediatric cancer or sickle cell disease.
The social robot uses medical play, lifelike movement and mimics emotions to engage and help comfort kids during their cancer or sickle cell disease journey. It was developed after more than 18 months of research with children, families and health care providers to help children cope with their treatments, particularly from an emotional perspective.
“My Special Aflac Duck has given comfort and joy to more than 24,000 children across the United States, Japan and Northern Ireland during what are often incredibly challenging circumstances,” said Aflac U.S. President Virgil Miller. “Our $170 million commitment to children and families facing pediatric cancer and blood disorders, spanning more than 28 years, is best illustrated through this extraordinary resource to help families when they need it most. It is an incredibly rewarding program, and we are pleased to spread some joy today with these children in New Mexico.”
“We are excited that Aflac has brought My Special Aflac Ducks to Albuquerque for our children. It is extremely important for kids facing cancer and sickle cell disease to have the ability to express their feelings and use medical play to better understand what is happening both in the hospital and at home,” said Dr. Shirley Abraham, hematologist/oncologist at UNM Children’s Hospital.
Attendees at the Albuquerque event participated in a My Special Aflac Duck demonstration before beginning an exciting scavenger hunt, culminating in each child meeting his or her very own robotic companion. Following the hunt, patients and their families celebrated the new friendship through various activities like creating a birth certificate and beaded necklace for their duck, coloring and more.
Additional elements of My Special Aflac Duck include an interactive mobile app that allows children to virtually bathe and feed their duck, featuring customizable soundscapes that provide soothing visuals and sounds, smart sensors that enable touch and awareness of light and sounds, a calming heartbeat and breathing vibrations. My Special Aflac Duck was named Best in Show at CES in Las Vegas and was named to Time Magazine’s list of Best Inventions.
Health care providers, support organizations and families can order My Special Aflac Duck for children three years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease at https://myduck.sproutel.com/family/request.
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