Aflac and the American Association for Cancer Research Unite to Issue Inaugural Aflac Career Development Award for Childhood Can
April 29 2008 - 10:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
COLUMBUS, Ga., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac and the American
Association for Cancer Research (AACR) today announced the
presentation of the first-ever AACR Career Development Award for
Childhood Cancer Research, endowed by Aflac to aid in the fight to
cure pediatric cancer. The award, which includes a two-year grant
of $55,000 per year, was presented at AACR's Annual Meeting in San
Diego, Calif., to Dr. Charles G. Mullighan, a hematologist and
hematopathologist pursuing research in the area of molecular
biology of acute leukemia. Dr. Mullighan conducts his research at
the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a world-renowned cancer
research facility located in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Mullighan was
recommended for the Career Development Award by Dr. James R.
Downing, scientific director and chairman of the Pathology
Department at St. Jude. Dr. Downing noted that Dr. Mullighan as an
outstanding candidate for having conducted a three-year pioneering
study performing genomic profiling of pediatric acute leukemia. "At
Aflac, we believe that the road to conquering cancer is paved by
the best and brightest of our young scientists," said Aflac
Foundation President Kathelen Amos. "Aflac is proud to provide this
endowment, which will enable young cancer research pioneers to
continue their studies until we find a cure." Praising Aflac's
alliance, AACR Chief Executive Officer Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D.
(h.c.), said, "For the past decade, Aflac has invested in helping
young scientists and doctors get the training they need at our
national meetings. Now, they have taken a giant step by supporting
researchers in childhood cancers. Together, AACR and Aflac will
make a difference in the lives of patients and their families." In
addition to the Career Development Award for Childhood Cancer
Research, Aflac is a longtime supporter of the AACR's Scholar in
Training Awards program, having contributed more than $1 million
since 1997 and given more than 750 Scholar in Training Awards to
deserving scientists. Aflac is also committed to enhancing the
lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and
education at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. 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 the community. Visit
http://www.aflaccancercenter.org/ or call 404-250-KIDS for more
information. 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 AACR Founded in 1907, the AACR is a
professional society of more than 22,000 laboratory and clinical
scientists engaged in cancer research in the United States, Canada
and more than 60 other countries. AACR's mission is to accelerate
the prevention and cure of cancer through research, education,
communication and advocacy. Its principal activities include the
publication of five leading peer-reviewed scientific journals
(Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research, Molecular Cancer
Research, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention and
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics). About Dr. Charles Grenfell
Mullighan Dr. Charles Grenfell Mullighan, a native of South
Australia, is a hematologist and hematopathologist pursuing
research in the molecular biology of acute leukemia. He completed
his hematology fellowship in Australia in January 2004 and has
served as a Physician Scientist Postdoctoral Fellow in the
laboratory of Dr. James Downing, Department of Pathology, St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO ) Media
Contact: Analyst and Investment Contact: Jon A. Sullivan Kenneth S.
Janke Jr. Aflac Incorporated Aflac Incorporated 706.763.4813
1.800.235.2667, Option 3; Fax: 706.324.6330
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Alfac Incorporated CONTACT:
Media Contact: Jon A. Sullivan, +1-706-763-4813, ; or Analyst and
Investment Contact: Kenneth S. Janke Jr., +1-800-235-2667, Option
3, Fax: 706.324.6330, , both of Aflac Incorporated Web site:
http://www.aflac.com/ http://www.aflaccancercenter.org/
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