From Patient to Data Engineer: Cyronn Herrington’s Inspiring Journey with Aflac
Cyronn Herrington, now an Aflac employee, grew up with a very different childhood from most. From birth, he was diagnosed with hemophilia B — a rare bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting as it should.
“I basically had to live in a bubble,” Cyronn recalled. “Sports and a lot of physical activities just weren’t an option for me.”
People with hemophilia can experience sudden internal bleeds, often targeting the same area repeatedly. For Cyronn, that weak point was his right knee. In 2009, a simple fall from a bicycle at summer camp caused lasting damage.
What initially seemed like a routine injury soon became life-altering. By the end of that year, Cyronn was relying on crutches or a wheelchair, and over the next five years he endured multiple surgeries. One of those procedures brought him to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a nationally recognized leader in treating pediatric cancer and blood disorders.
Unfortunately, reduced blood flow in his leg led to the loss of his right leg at just 14 years old. He spent three months recovering at the Aflac Center, where the support he received went far beyond medical care. From meeting athletes and musicians to bonding with therapy dogs, the experiences helped him focus on the future.
For Cyronn, staying optimistic was crucial. “The staff really understood me and treated me with respect,” he said. “They always reminded me to keep my eyes on the bigger picture. That’s what I try to pass on to others now — never give up on yourself.”
He remained a patient at the Aflac Center until 2021 before moving into adult care at Emory Healthcare. His ties to Aflac, however, continued to grow.
A lifelong interest in technology inspired Cyronn to pursue a degree in Information Technology at Middle Georgia State University. After graduating, he joined Aflac through an internship and began his career in IT with the Project Portfolio Management team. Today, he works as a Data Engineer on the Data Tools Administration team.
Outside of his professional work, Cyronn dedicates time to giving back. He has served as a counselor for seven years at Camp Wannaklot, a summer camp for children with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, after attending as a camper himself. He also recently shared his journey at the Care-A-Thon fundraiser for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
Camp Wannaklot, he says, gave him lasting friendships and a strong sense of belonging. “It gave me the chance to grow into my life as an adult with hemophilia,” he reflected.
When he isn’t working or volunteering, Cyronn enjoys video games, swimming, professional wrestling, and creating content for his YouTube channel, which has grown to over 11,000 subscribers.
Click here to know more about the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
“I basically had to live in a bubble,” Cyronn recalled. “Sports and a lot of physical activities just weren’t an option for me.”
People with hemophilia can experience sudden internal bleeds, often targeting the same area repeatedly. For Cyronn, that weak point was his right knee. In 2009, a simple fall from a bicycle at summer camp caused lasting damage.
What initially seemed like a routine injury soon became life-altering. By the end of that year, Cyronn was relying on crutches or a wheelchair, and over the next five years he endured multiple surgeries. One of those procedures brought him to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a nationally recognized leader in treating pediatric cancer and blood disorders.
Unfortunately, reduced blood flow in his leg led to the loss of his right leg at just 14 years old. He spent three months recovering at the Aflac Center, where the support he received went far beyond medical care. From meeting athletes and musicians to bonding with therapy dogs, the experiences helped him focus on the future.
For Cyronn, staying optimistic was crucial. “The staff really understood me and treated me with respect,” he said. “They always reminded me to keep my eyes on the bigger picture. That’s what I try to pass on to others now — never give up on yourself.”
He remained a patient at the Aflac Center until 2021 before moving into adult care at Emory Healthcare. His ties to Aflac, however, continued to grow.
A lifelong interest in technology inspired Cyronn to pursue a degree in Information Technology at Middle Georgia State University. After graduating, he joined Aflac through an internship and began his career in IT with the Project Portfolio Management team. Today, he works as a Data Engineer on the Data Tools Administration team.
Outside of his professional work, Cyronn dedicates time to giving back. He has served as a counselor for seven years at Camp Wannaklot, a summer camp for children with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, after attending as a camper himself. He also recently shared his journey at the Care-A-Thon fundraiser for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
Camp Wannaklot, he says, gave him lasting friendships and a strong sense of belonging. “It gave me the chance to grow into my life as an adult with hemophilia,” he reflected.
When he isn’t working or volunteering, Cyronn enjoys video games, swimming, professional wrestling, and creating content for his YouTube channel, which has grown to over 11,000 subscribers.
Click here to know more about the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
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