What is My Special Aflac Duck®?

My Special Aflac Duck® is a plush, interactive companion specifically created for children aged three and older who are undergoing cancer or blood disorder treatments. This lovable duck serves as a friend, a teaching tool, and a comfort companion, helping children communicate their feelings, prepare for medical procedures, and reduce anxiety during treatments.

Features of My Special Aflac Duck®

Medical Play Accessories: My Special Aflac Duck® is equipped with medical play tools that allow children to mimic their own medical experiences. Accessories include a port-a-cath, stethoscope, pulse oximeter, syringe, and even a self-adherent wrap. These items help children understand and normalize the procedures they experience during their treatment.

Feeling Cards: Children can use one of the seven Feeling Cards to communicate their emotions. By tapping a card to the duck’s chest, the duck responds to the child’s feelings, fostering emotional awareness and communication.

Soundscape Spaceship: The duck features a calming Soundscapes™ experience, offering relaxing sounds like a forest, ocean, farm, or amusement park. Designed in collaboration with child life specialists and psychologists, this feature supports distraction therapy, giving children a mental escape from the stress of medical treatments.

Interactive and Engaging: The duck responds to hugs and cuddles, offering a sensory experience that makes children feel seen, loved, and supported. It creates a nurturing environment where children feel safe and understood.

How My Special Aflac Duck® Impacts Children and Families

Research shows that children who interact with My Special Aflac Duck® experience a reduction in distress, nausea, pain, and anxiety associated with medical procedures. By encouraging medical play, emotional expression, and distraction therapy, the duck creates a sense of normalcy in a child’s medical journey.

For Children: The duck empowers children to take control of their experience, helping them understand medical devices, communicate their feelings, and engage in play therapy. This sense of control reduces fear and builds confidence.

For Families: The duck provides parents and caregivers with a tool to explain medical treatments to their child in a way that is easy to understand. It also gives them peace of mind, knowing their child has a companion offering comfort and security.

For Medical Staff: Child life specialists and care providers can use My Special Aflac Duck® as an educational tool to explain medical procedures to young patients. It serves as a bridge for communication, making the process less intimidating for children.

How the Program is Funded

The My Special Aflac Duck® program is made possible through the combined efforts of the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network, and corporate partner Aflac. Each organization plays a critical role in ensuring that children battling cancer or blood disorders at El Paso Children’s Hospital receive this vital resource.

Aflac’s Role: Aflac is a leader in the fight against pediatric cancer and blood disorders. Through financial support and program development, Aflac provides My Special Aflac Duck® free of charge to families. Their commitment ensures children have the comfort and educational support they need.

El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation: Through donations from the community and support from the Children’s Miracle Network, the foundation secures resources to bring My Special Aflac Duck® to every eligible patient at El Paso Children’s Hospital.

How You Can Support the Program

The My Special Aflac Duck® program thrives thanks to the combined efforts of the El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network, and community supporters like you. Donations to the foundation help sustain this impactful program, ensuring that every eligible child undergoing cancer or blood disorder treatment receives this life-changing companion.

Requesting My Special Aflac Duck®

If your child is undergoing treatment for cancer or a blood disorder such as sickle cell disease, you may be eligible to receive My Special Aflac Duck®. Families of children undergoing treatment can request a duck directly through the program. This compassionate gift is a reminder that your family is not alone in this journey.

Add button to direct to request an Aflac Duck, Link Below

https://myduck.sproutel.com/family/request