Aflac and Macy's partner to raise funds for Cincinnati Children's and Columbus Children's Hospitals. COLUMBUS, Ga., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac Duck fans and Ohio 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 locations throughout the state starting November 6 with proceeds benefiting the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Columbus Children's Hospital. This year marks the sixth season that Aflac and the department store have partnered to sell the Aflac Holiday Ducks nationwide raising more than $1 million since the program began. "Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is pleased to partner again with Aflac and Macy's to help raise funds to support children and families battling pediatric cancer. We sincerely appreciate the funds raised each year through this joint program. They have made a positive impact on the Division of Hematology/Oncology," said Kenneth G. Massey, President, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Foundation New to this year's Aflac Holiday Duck program are specially designed gift cards also available for purchase at participating Macy's locations in Ohio. Shoppers can purchase Aflac Holiday Ducks online at macys.com or aflac.com. Online shoppers can also download an order form from aflac.com to purchase a Holiday Duck gift card. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the duck sales and a portion of the proceeds from the gift cards purchased by Ohio residents will be donated to both facilities. A total of 32 children's hospitals around the country will benefit from in-store and online sales with proceeds designated to the medical centers located in the same markets as participating Macy's stores. "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." 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 at Macy's store locations nationwide and through macys.com. About Cincinnati Children's Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a 423-bed institution devoted to bringing the world the joy of healthier kids. Cincinnati Children's is dedicated to transforming the way health care is delivered by providing care that is timely, efficient, effective, family-centered, equitable and safe. Cincinnati Children's ranks third nationally among all pediatric centers in research grants from the National Institutes of Health. It is a teaching affiliate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The Cincinnati Children's vision is to be the leader in improving child health. Additional information can be found at http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/. 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. 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. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061103/CLF038 ) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO ) Media Contacts: Yolonda King Mechell Clark Aflac Incorporated Aflac Incorporated (706) 243-8547 (706) 243-8004 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061103/CLF038 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Aflac Incorporated CONTACT: Yolonda King, +1-706-243-8547, or , or Mechell Clark, +1-706-243-8004, or , both of Aflac Incorporated Web site: http://www.aflac.com/ http://www.macys.com/ http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/

Copyright