During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, employees at Aflac Northern Ireland set out to raise funds for The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity (CCUC) with the Three Peaks Challenge, a trek to the Mournes that includes SlieveBinnian, SlieveCommedagh and, finally, an ascent to the top of Slieve Donard.
Aflac Northern Ireland, located in Belfast, is a global IT and cybersecurity center that develops technology and innovative solutions to help support customers in their greatest time of need. A supporter of CCUC for five years, Aflac Northern Ireland took that commitment to new heights on Sept. 12, when 53 employees swapped their keyboards for hiking boots to help build awareness of pediatric cancer and raise funds for CCUC.
The result: more than £23,000 was raised and donated to support the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal BelfastHospital for Sick Children.
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“Care is at Aflac’s core, particularly when it comes to supporting children and families affected by cancer and blood disorders. Through our longstanding partnership with CCUC, we’re able to be there for families during a difficult time,” said, Aflac Northern Ireland Head of Talent and Culture Sarah Milliken. “We set out to raise £10,000, but thanks to the enthusiasm of our team, we surpassed that goal and are eager to see every pound go directly to the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit.”
Each year, more than 60 children in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with cancer and complex blood disorders, and any child diagnosed with one of these conditions will visit the Children’s Cancer Unit at the Royal BelfastHospital for Sick Childrenduring their treatment journeys. Funds raised during the Three Peaks Challenge will help provide crucial resources such as equipment and infrastructure, as well as training and development for staff who work in the Children’s Cancer Unit. The money will also help the charity to provide direct support to families and support vital research into childhood and adolescent cancer.
Jane Hoare, Chief Executive at The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity commented:
“We are incredibly grateful to the team at Aflac for their generosity, enthusiasm and dedication to our charity- they always go the extra mile for the children, young people and families we support and always set the bar high for their fundraising challenges. Thankyou to everyone who took part and contributed to this fantastic total.”
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Aflac Northern Ireland’s collaboration with The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity builds on Aflac’s longstanding and global mission to support children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders, as well as the medical professionals who care for them.
Since 2020, Aflac Northern Ireland has raised a total of£100,000— that’s in addition to the deliveries of 100 My Special Aflac Ducks® to bring smiles to children and help them express their feelings through play.My Special Aflac Duck is a cherished robotic companion that uses medical play and realistic motions to emulate emotions and interact with children as they navigate their cancer or sickle cell disease journeys.As part of Aflac's 30-year and nearly $192 millioncommitment to children and families facing these conditions, the company has given, free of charge, more than 39,000 My Special Aflac Ducks to children with cancer or sickle cell in the United States, Japan and Northern Ireland.
Learn more about Aflac’s commitment to providing support for those facing pediatric cancer and blood disorders by visiting AflacChildhoodCancer.org.
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