Crucial for the development of new treatments and promising therapies for children with cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell, pediatric oncology and hematology research has been a focus of support for Aflac for nearly 30 years.
In keeping with that commitment, The Aflac Foundation Inc. recently made a $1.5 million donation to The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, $1 million of which is earmarked for the hospital’s clinical research office. The remaining $500,000 will help fill critical needs at Children’s Hughes Spalding Sickle Cell Clinic, where more than 85% of patients rely on Medicaid or are uninsured.
“Discovery leading to innovation, hope and better outcomes for patients takes place every day at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center,” said Kathelen Amos, president of The Aflac Foundation. “Our support of the clinical research enterprise is for the ultimate benefit of patients everywhere, starting with patients right here at the Cancer Center.
“Providing care to more than 2,600 children and young adults with sickle cell each year, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is home to the largest pediatric sickle cell disease program in the country,” Amos added. “This funding will help them continue to treat the ‘whole child’ at the Hughes Spalding clinic through its support of psychologists, social workers and teachers – crucial positions that are not fully reimbursed by insurance and rely on philanthropy to continue.”
One of the most active research institutions in the country for pediatric clinical trial enrollment, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center offers patients access to more than 380 clinical studies. Over the past nine years, the program has grown from 44 to 71 full-time research employees and from seven to 28 investigator-initiated clinical trials. Current research surrounding sickle cell disease includes chronic pain management, blood-banking anemia testing, opioid…
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