Collaboration forms new cancer center

By Sarah Goodwin

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the School of Medicine announced recently the collaboration of two formerly independent programs, to be known henceforth as the AFLAC Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service.

Now in its sixth year as the main sponsor, AFLAC is a significant supporter of the newest national pediatric cancer and blood disorders program, establishing a shared vision for pediatric cancer and blood disorders research, enhanced bedside treatment and innovative patient support services.

Committed to advancements in pediatric cancer research, clinical care and supportive services, the center’s efforts will be focused on some of the most important priorities in pediatric hematology/oncology today: leukemia and other blood cancers, stem-cell transplantation, experimental therapy, childhood cancer etiology, neuro-oncology and sickle cell disease.

The AFLAC Cancer Center coordinates the strengths of the pediatric hematology/oncology programs of Children’s Healthcare (formerly Egleston and Scottish Rite children’s hospitals). As one entity, the center is one of the top children’s cancer centers in the country based on case volume.

The program is enhanced by its collaborative relationship with the School of Medicine and the Winship Cancer Institute. Emory and Winship will enable the AFLAC Cancer Center to provide clinical care to children and adolescents, participate in national clinical trials and perform laboratory and epidemiological research—all with the goal of improving standards of care and treatment outcomes in pediatric hematology/oncology.

William Woods will serve as both chief medical officer of the center and division director for pediatric hematology/oncology/stem cell transplantation in the medical school. A world-recognized leader in pediatric hematology/oncology, Woods also serves on the executive committee of the nation’s most important pediatric cancer research organization, Children’s Oncology Group.

“The AFLAC Cancer Center has a patient volume comparable to or exceeding any of the nation’s top children’s cancer centers, which, when coupled with Emory’s research relationship, means that pediatric cancer therapy can move quickly from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside,” Woods said.

“The new AFLAC Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will enable us to make faster and greater advancements than one institution could do alone.”

In noting AFLAC’s role, Woods said, “Quite simply, AFLAC’s involvement goes well beyond financial support. AFLAC’s senior management has been supportive in so many aspects, energizing the AFLAC Cancer Center staff, our scope of work and our bold agenda for research and treatment.”

In addition to the company’s corporate commitment, AFLAC CEO Dan Amos and thousands of associates and employees have made personal contributions to the center. Through gifts from AFLAC’s Field Force Fund, independent representatives across the United States have donated more than $2 million, funding enhanced programs such as the Stoudemire Fund for Psycho-social Support and the Cancer Survivor Clinic. In addition, through AFLAC’s successful national advertising campaign, proceeds from Internet sales of the stuffed duck that quacks “AFLAC” are being given to the AFLAC Cancer Center.