Four years ago, Taylor Brown underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to treat severe aplastic anemia. Now 16, Taylor chose to celebrate her transplant anniversary in a special way—by using her Make-A-Wish opportunity to donate a mobile music therapy cart, ensuring more young patients can experience the comfort of music during treatment.

Before the transplant, Taylor endured four rounds of chemotherapy while waiting for a donor. Her sister turned out to be a perfect match, and in 2021, Taylor received the transplant and spent several months in isolation within the bone marrow transplant unit.

“Being confined in the unit was incredibly lonely,” Taylor shared. “Music therapy gave me strength and comfort—it really shows how powerful music can be.”

Today, patients in that same unit can often be heard making music, thanks to Taylor’s gift. Partnering with Make-A-Wish Georgia, she unveiled “Taylor’s Music Mover,” a specially designed cart filled with professional-grade instruments and recording equipment. This allows young patients not only to play but also to record their own music and even create music videos.

The center’s music therapy program helps children manage stress, express their feelings, and build connections with others during treatment. Recognized nationally for its work in childhood cancer, blood disorders, and marrow transplants, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center has long been supported by Aflac. Since 1995, Aflac employees, agents, and The Aflac Foundation have contributed more than $191 million toward research and patient care initiatives like this one.

Click here to know more about the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

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.

Pediatric cancer and sickle cell disease present both visible and hidden struggles, which is why Aflac has been committed to supporting children and families facing these challenges for over 30 years.

One unique way Aflac provides comfort is through My Special Aflac Duck®, a specially designed companion for young patients with cancer or sickle cell disease. More than just a plush toy, this interactive duck helps children communicate their emotions with loved ones, healthcare providers, and caregivers.

“Receiving a diagnosis of cancer or sickle cell disease, undergoing treatment, and navigating life afterward can be overwhelming—especially for children who may struggle to express their feelings,” said Buffy Swinehart, Senior Manager of Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “We introduced My Special Aflac Duck in 2018 to help children feel less alone, and since then, we’ve distributed over 35,000 ducks to provide comfort to young patients and their families. Research confirms that My Special Aflac Duck reduces anxiety associated with treatment—not just for children but also for their parents and caregivers.”

Along with the duck, families gain access to a variety of resources designed to educate, soothe, and bring joy throughout treatment. These include guides on how to use My Special Aflac Duck and its accompanying app, meditation and communication tools, printable activities that encourage mindfulness and empowerment, and interactive guides that demonstrate the duck’s uses in different environments. Additional support materials, including FAQs, are also available.

This therapeutic companion is provided free of charge to children ages three and older who have cancer or blood disorders like sickle cell disease. My Special Aflac Duck is just one part of Aflac’s broader commitment, which includes nearly $190 million in donations to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Click here to know more about Aflac’s commitment to supporting children with cancer.

A remarkable achievement unfolded at FOCUS, Aflac's annual meeting for top sales agents and brokers, where a charitable auction surpassed expectations, raising an impressive $770,000. This amount, exceeding the initial projection of $220,000 by over 350%, will be entirely dedicated to supporting treatments and research for pediatric cancer and blood disorders at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
 
The auction, known as "auction for a cause," featured generous donations such as footballs autographed by Deion "Prime" Sanders, University of Colorado Head Football Coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer, exclusive trips to Aflac's upcoming commercial shoot, and Aflac-branded footwear. Spearheaded by FOCUS Chair and Aflac Senior Vice President of U.S. Sales Distribution Andy Glaub, this event is believed to be the most successful single-day fundraising effort in Aflac's 28-year history with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
 
Reflecting on the profound impact of this accomplishment, Aflac Chairman, CEO, and President Dan Amos expressed pride in the unwavering commitment of the sales team, emphasizing the brand's mission to care for customers, communities, and families facing childhood cancer and blood disorders. Aflac Foundation President Kathelen Amos also commended the national sales organization's continuous dedication, noting that these contributions, combined with nearly three decades of support, bring hope and genuine care to affected children and families.
 
FOCUS Chair Andy Glaub, who orchestrated the auction, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming success, stating that the substantial $770,000 will significantly benefit children and families navigating challenging circumstances. Aflac's long-standing sponsorship of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center since 1995, with a total donation of $173 million, showcases the company's commitment. Over half of this sum has been contributed by Aflac's independent sales force. Recognized as one of the top 10 children's cancer facilities in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report, the center annually provides care for 9,000 children with cancer and blood disorders, making it the country's largest pediatric sickle cell program.
 
"We believe that every child deserves a lifetime, and that is what donations like this are helping us provide for the children and families who come through our doors every day," said Douglas Graham, MD, PhD, Chief of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "Aflac and its incredible sales agents and brokers continue to lift the bar in corporate generosity, and we are so thankful for their continuous support."
 
The top-selling items at the auction included: 

Jaime Gaudet, Aflac Market Director representing parts of Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming, successfully secured one of the trips to attend the filming of Aflac's upcoming television commercial. Reflecting on the event, she expressed, "The vibrant Aflac culture is evident! I take great pride in being a part of this team and am delighted that we, as leaders, recognize the significance of supporting children and families affected by cancer and blood disorders in Atlanta and across the nation."

Starting a new school year can pose challenges for both children and parents, especially when a child has a medical condition that requires special accommodations. Emily Brannon, an educational advocate and hospital teacher at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, strives to make this transition as smooth as possible. Emily recently met with the parents of a child with sickle cell disease who were worried about their son's entry into kindergarten. They wanted to ensure that the school staff were informed about his medical requirements.
 
According to Brannon, "I arranged a meeting with the school principal, the kindergarten teacher, and the child's parents. During this meeting, we provided informative materials about sickle cell disease and discussed the specific needs of the child and his family. Schools have established protocols for students with medical conditions, and through my advocacy efforts and the parents' input, the school was able to offer the necessary support and accommodations as the child began his elementary school journey."
 
Emily is a valuable member of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center's family support team, which relies entirely on donor funding. In early 2023, the Aflac Foundation contributed $1.5 million to bolster the family support team's efforts in delivering essential services. Every day, Emily and her fellow teachers collaborate with families to help them navigate the challenges of the school system. Brannon explained,

"The school system can be overwhelming, and when a child has a medical diagnosis, educational tasks can appear daunting. The most rewarding part of our work is witnessing the relief on parents' faces when we step in to shoulder certain responsibilities and offer solutions."
 
If you'd like to contribute, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center's family support team maintains a wish list, allowing donors to identify the team's most pressing needs. Donors can purchase items directly from the wish list, and these items will be shipped directly to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
 
Please note that in this context, "Aflac" refers to the American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and the American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.