Pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients get a sweet surprise

Sometimes it helps to have a friend close by when the world is scary. For some very surprised kids, that new buddy came in the form of My Special Aflac Duck, a robotic companion provided free-of-charge to 17 pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients at Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Upstate on May 28.

The children were surprised by Clemson University Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney, Aflac U.S. President Virgil Miller and the Clemson Tiger mascot. 

The award-winning animatronic duck has comforted more than 30,000 children since 2018. The social robot comes to life using innovative technology, helping kids prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction techniques and more. A three-year study released April 5 demonstrated that both parents and caregivers reported a reduction in distress, nausea, pain and treatment and procedural anxiety for their children who received a duck compared to those in the study who had not yet received one. 

Health care providers, support organizations and families can order My Special Aflac Duck free of charge for children 3 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease at myspecialaflacduck.com.