Help Aflac Eradicate Childhood Cancer ~ You can make a Difference #Duckprints #CleverGirls #Sponsored
Cancer is a harsh, nasty word that has no prejudice. It can affect anyone, anywhere and at anytime. It is especially wrenching when little ones are affected by this disease and haven’t even had a chance to grow up. Childhood cancer is something that Aflac is trying to help eradicate in HUGE way. 
Cancer has hit my family in many ways. My first experience with cancer was losing my grandmother to leukemia about 20 years ago. I too am a cancer survivor, having beat Ovarian Cancer in 2006. One of the hardest impacts was learning that our nephew, Ray, had cancer at 4. This was not his first time battling cancer and it had returned, this time stronger and more aggressive. In 2005, my then 5 year old daughter was to be the flower girl at her big cousin’s wedding and Ray, who was 5 at the time, was to be the ring bearer. In the end, his littler brother, age 2, had to take Ray’s place as he was just too weak to make that trek down the aisle. It was a bittersweet time for everyone, celebrating the union and marriage of my niece, but everyone’s heart yearned for Ray to be stronger. In the end, Ray sadly lost his battle to cancer and the family has never been the same. From his bright, beautiful smile, rosy-red cheeks and shiny blond hair, he will have a forever special place in our hearts. This holiday season, Aflac reminds us to be thankful for our health, our loved ones, and to give back. Aflac’s Duckprints program is an ongoing celebration of the unsung heroes in the fight against childhood cancer, and continues their mission to help eradicate the disease through raising donations and awareness.
Meet Austin
Austin Freeman was born on April 20, 2003. Shortly after his tenth birthday he hurt his back and went to the doctor with persistent pain. The doctor took x-rays and thought it was likely a bruise from a fall he had taken. Austin then told the doctor that he had been experiencing pain in his groin area as well. The doctor initially attributed it to the fall and Austin started to head home with his mom.. Before leaving the parking lot, the cell phone rang. It was the nurse, saying the doctor didn’t feel comfortable not giving a full examination of the groin area. They went back in, did x-rays and discovered the mass, which unfortunately was diagnosed as Ewing Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Austin was treated at the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta Georgia, where he received numerous doses of chemotherapy and radiation. Thankfully, after a very difficult year, Austin has been cancer free since March of 2014.
The Aflac Cancer Center is located in Atlanta,GA and is one of the largest childhood cancer centers in the country. They are committed to providing childhood cancer patients a brighter future through advanced medical treatment, family-centered care, a child-friendly environment and innovative research.
You can join Aflac and leave YOUR footprint in the fight against childhood cancer!
Aflac is strongly committed to the fight against childhood cancer, and has raised more than $93 million with the goal of reaching $100 million by the end of 2015. All of the net proceeds from Duckprints merchandise – like the annual Holiday Duck, which is available at participating Macy’s or at aflacduckprints.com – go to hospitals treating childhood cancer in the U.S. Aflac will also give an additional $2 to the Aflac Cancer Center for every post, share, tweet, or re-tweet that uses the #Duckprints hashtag on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Start today by Retweeting the message below:
.RT 2 help eradicate childhood cancer! The @aflacduck donates $2 for every mention of #Duckprints on social media pic.twitter.com/wJTKZBw3jb
— Kristin (@ItsFreeAtLast) December 29, 2014
Cancer is a painful subject for anyone to talk about, whether you have been affected directly, or indirectly, but awareness is needed and you can make a difference today. Consider making a donation, pick up some Aflac Holiday gear or even post a comment via social media using #DuckPrints and help a donation made with your social media mark – it only takes 2 seconds, and a world of difference to millions of children! Stay connected with Aflac via Facebook and Twitter and watch as they set out to achieve their $1,000,000.00 goal!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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