How to Help Families Affected by Childhood Cancer or Blood Disorders

Sorry, but your browser does not support the video tag. var bptVideoPlayer = document.getElementById(“bptVideoPlayer”); if (bptVideoPlayer) { var cssText = “width: 100%;”; cssText += ” background: url(‘” + bptVideoPlayer.getAttribute(“poster”) + “‘);”; cssText += ” -webkit-background-size: cover;”; cssText += ” -moz-background-size: cover;”; cssText += ” -o-background-size: cover;”; cssText += ” background-size: cover;”; bptVideoPlayer.style.cssText = cssText; var bptVideoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById(“bptVideoPlayerContainer”); if (bptVideoPlayerContainer) { setTimeout(function () { bptVideoPlayerContainer.style.cssText = “display: block; position: relative; margin-bottom: 10px;”; var isIE = navigator.userAgent.match(/ MSIE(([0 – 9] +)(\.[0 – 9] +) ?) /); var isEdge = navigator.userAgent.indexOf(“Edge”) > -1 || navigator.userAgent.indexOf(“Trident”) > -1; if (isIE || isEdge) { fixVideoPoster(); } }, 1000); } var bptVideoPlayButton = document.getElementById(“bptVideoPlayButton”); if (bptVideoPlayButton) { bptVideoPlayButton.addEventListener(“click”, function () { bptVideoPlayer.play(); }, false); bptVideoPlayer.addEventListener(“play”, function () { bptVideoPlayButton.style.cssText = “display: none;”; }, false); } var mainImage = document.getElementById(“mainImageImgContainer_sm”); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = “display: none;”; } var mainImage = document.getElementById(“photo-noresize”); if (mainImage) { mainImage.style.cssText = “display: none;”; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName(“asset_gallery”)[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = “display: none;”; } var assetGallery = document.getElementsByClassName(“trb_article_leadart”)[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = “display: none;”; } var assetGallery = document.querySelectorAll(“[src=’https://d372qxeqh8y72i.cloudfront.net/4f34da38-bbbd-404d-a895-61f902384564_web.jpg’]”)[0]; if (assetGallery) { assetGallery.style.cssText = “display: none;”; } } function fixVideoPoster() { var videoPlayer = document.getElementById(“bptVideoPlayer”); var videoPoster = document.getElementById(“bptVideoPoster”); fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, true); window.onresize = function() { fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster); }; videoPoster.onclick = function() { videoPlayer.play(); videoPoster.style.display = “none”; }; videoPlayer.onplay = function() { videoPoster.style.display = “none”; }; } function fixVideoPosterPosition(videoPlayer, videoPoster, display) { setTimeout(function () { var videoPosition = videoPlayer.getBoundingClientRect(); videoPoster.style.position = “absolute”; videoPoster.style.top = “0”; videoPoster.style.left = “0”; videoPoster.style.width = videoPlayer.offsetWidth + “px”; videoPoster.style.height = (videoPlayer.offsetHeight + 20) + “px”; if (display) { videoPoster.style.display = “inline”; } }, 1010); } (BPT) – If you know a family facing childhood cancer or a blood disorder like sickle cell disease, you may want to help but don’t know where to start. This guide, created by experts at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Aflac, is intended to serve as a toolkit with different ways to provide support.Here are some ideas to show up for families navigating childhood cancer, sickle cell or another serious illness:ComfortDrop off a home-cooked mealOrder delivery from a favorite restaurantSend a voucher from a meal delivery serviceShare baked goods (store-bought or homemade)Drop off a favorite magazine, book or board gameTake a walk or see a movie togetherOffer to be a listening ear or just sit in silence togetherSend a gentle message of empathy in the form of a card, handwritten note, text, voicemail, email or private social media messageSupport — Offer to…Clean their homeSet up playdates, babysit or stay with their other children — try to keep things as normal as possibleHelp with caregiving responsibilitiesWalk or care for their petDo laundryShop for groceriesWater their plants or gardenTake their car for a washPick up their mail or newspapersInstead of asking, “Can I help?”, it’s best to offer specific acts of service (for example, “Can I send you some dinner?” or, “Can I babysit the other kids for you?”).Taking Inspiration from My Special Aflac Duck®For nearly three decades, Aflac has been committed to supporting those who care for children with cancer and blood disorders and has donated more than $184 million to the cause. In 2018, the company created My Special Aflac Duck®, a robotic companion that provides comfort and support to children, helps them express their emotions and normalizes medical procedures. As of September, 2024, Aflac has distributed more than 31,000 of these ducks free of charge to children above the age of three with cancer and sickle cell disease.Following a three-year study of 160 childhood cancer patients and their families, My Special Aflac Duck has been clinically demonstrated to help improve the mental and emotional health of children and parents going through the cancer journey. Initial findings from the study, conducted at hospitals across the U.S., reported reductions in anxiety and distress in children who use My Special Aflac Duck as part of their treatment, as well as improvement in parents’ mental health.It provides comfort with a calming heartbeat, soothing vibrations and soft “fur.”It offers support through medical play accessories and feeling cards that help express emotions.My Special Aflac Duck is unique. But each of us can learn from My Special Aflac Duck’s superpower — offering comfort and support to children and families who need it most — and do the same for those we care about.Visit http://www.aflac.com/bridgetobrighter for more ways to make a positive difference to families affected by childhood cancer and blood disorders.