Aflac and the American Association for Cancer Research Unite to Issue
Inaugural Aflac Career Development Award for Childhood Cancer Research
COLUMBUS, Ga., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac and the American Association
for Cancer Research (AACR) today announced the presentation of the first-ever
AACR Career Development Award for Childhood Cancer Research, endowed by Aflac
to aid in the fight to cure pediatric cancer. The award, which includes a
two-year grant of $55,000 per year, was presented at AACR's Annual Meeting in
San Diego, Calif., to Dr. Charles G. Mullighan, a hematologist and
hematopathologist pursuing research in the area of molecular biology of acute
leukemia. Dr. Mullighan conducts his research at the St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, a world-renowned cancer research facility located in
Memphis, Tenn.
Dr. Mullighan was recommended for the Career Development Award by Dr.
James R. Downing, scientific director and chairman of the Pathology Department
at St. Jude. Dr. Downing noted that Dr. Mullighan as an outstanding candidate
for having conducted a three-year pioneering study performing genomic
profiling of pediatric acute leukemia.
"At Aflac, we believe that the road to conquering cancer is paved by the
best and brightest of our young scientists," said Aflac Foundation President
Kathelen Amos. "Aflac is proud to provide this endowment, which will enable
young cancer research pioneers to continue their studies until we find a
cure."
Praising Aflac's alliance, AACR Chief Executive Officer Margaret Foti,
Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), said, "For the past decade, Aflac has invested in helping
young scientists and doctors get the training they need at our national
meetings. Now, they have taken a giant step by supporting researchers in
childhood cancers. Together, AACR and Aflac will make a difference in the
lives of patients and their families."
In addition to the Career Development Award for Childhood Cancer Research,
Aflac is a longtime supporter of the AACR's Scholar in Training Awards
program, having contributed more than $1 million since 1997 and given more
than 750 Scholar in Training Awards to deserving scientists. Aflac is also
committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient
care, research and education at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders
Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Children's, one of the top three
pediatric healthcare systems in the country, is a not-for-profit organization
that benefits from the generous philanthropic and volunteer support of the
community. Visit www.aflaccancercenter.org or call 404-250-KIDS for more
information.
About Aflac
For more than 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the
opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting
medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider of
guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the number one
insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan.
Our insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people
worldwide. Aflac has been included in Fortune magazine's listing of America's
Most Admired Companies for seven years and in Fortune magazine's list of the
100 Best Companies to Work For in America for ten consecutive years. Aflac has
also been recognized three times by both Fortune magazine's listing of the Top
50 Employers for Minorities and Working Mother magazine's listing of the 100
Best Companies for Working Mothers. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500
company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find
out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.
About AACR
Founded in 1907, the AACR is a professional society of more than 22,000
laboratory and clinical scientists engaged in cancer research in the United
States, Canada and more than 60 other countries. AACR's mission is to
accelerate the prevention and cure of cancer through research, education,
communication and advocacy. Its principal activities include the publication
of five leading peer-reviewed scientific journals (Cancer Research, Clinical
Cancer Research, Molecular Cancer Research, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &
Prevention and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics).
About Dr. Charles Grenfell Mullighan
Dr. Charles Grenfell Mullighan, a native of South Australia, is a
hematologist and hematopathologist pursuing research in the molecular biology
of acute leukemia. He completed his hematology fellowship in Australia in
January 2004 and has served as a Physician Scientist Postdoctoral Fellow in
the laboratory of Dr. James Downing, Department of Pathology, St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO )
Media Contact: Analyst and Investment Contact:
Jon A. Sullivan Kenneth S. Janke Jr.
Aflac Incorporated Aflac Incorporated
706.763.4813 1.800.235.2667, Option 3;
jsullivan@aflac.com Fax: 706.324.6330
kjanke@aflac.com
SOURCE Alfac Incorporated
Media Contact: Jon A. Sullivan, +1-706-763-4813, jsullivan@aflac.com; or
Analyst and Investment Contact: Kenneth S. Janke Jr., +1-800-235-2667, Option
3, Fax: 706.324.6330, kjanke@aflac.com, both of Aflac Incorporated
