Aflac Ford Fusion to sport 13-year-old cancer patient's paint scheme

Sep 5 2009

On September 6(th), at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion will sport a colorful new look inspired by a 13-year-old patient at the Aflac Cancer Center. Aflac invited children at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service to "Color Carl's Car" for the Labor Day weekend race.

The chosen paint scheme, submitted by Jody Lawrence of Greensboro, Georgia, was selected among 54 other entries as part of Aflac's month-long effort to generate awareness for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. All of the children's drawings will be featured on the pit wall banner for the No. 99 race team. Edwards will wear a matching fire suit and a white helmet signed by children at the Aflac Cancer Center.

People can join the fight against pediatric cancer by donating to the Aflac Cancer Center (ACC) through the Aflac Cancer Center causes page which can be accessed on Facebook.com or at www.aflac.com/aflaccancercenter. Aflac will contribute one dollar for anyone who joins the ACC causes page and will match donations up to $1 million.

Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos kicked off the campaign by making a personal donation of $100,000 and challenged others to contribute to the fight against childhood cancer. Carl Edwards responded to this challenge by announcing on Facebook that he will donate his portion of the winnings from Sunday's race to the Aflac Cancer Center.

Aflac is also engaging NASCAR fans in the fight against childhood cancer through a text donation program which will run throughout the month of September. The NASCAR community can simply text "GoCarl" to 90999 using any carrier, to donate $5 per text, with charges appearing on customers' wireless bill. The NASCAR Foundation will match texted donations up to $10,000.

Childhood cancer is Aflac's primary philanthropic commitment and the number one cause of death by disease for young people under the age of 15. However, due to increased and improved research and treatment, since the 1980s, childhood cancer survival rates have improved from less than 20% to over 80% today.

"This is a wonderful campaign and a great example of how Aflac continues to support childhood cancer treatment and research," said Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion. "I am proud to be a part of this effort."

"Aflac is combining our passion for fighting childhood cancer with our NASCAR sponsorship of Carl Edwards to raise money and awareness for a great cause," said Paul Amos II, Aflac President and Chief Operating Officer. "By showcasing Jody's compelling story we hope to inspire NASCAR fans to help raise funds and support the research and treatment that takes place everyday at the Aflac Cancer Center."

As an additional program element, Aflac has teamed up with Motorsports Authentics to create a special die cast car, featuring the special paint scheme, which was sold on QVC and is still available online at www.nascarsuperstore.com. As part of the initiative, five percent of all profits from the die cast sales will be donated to the Aflac Cancer Center.

To date, Aflac has contributed more than $50 million to the Aflac Cancer Center. More than 16,000 independent Aflac sales agents contribute more than $225,000 from their commission checks each month. The Aflac Cancer Center treats more than 350 new cancer patients every year and has the largest sickle cell disease program in the country. The center treated 6,503 patients in 2008.