Young patients with cancer and blood-related disorders deserve nothing less than the earth, sea and sky. That's why the AFLAC Cancer Center is designed with a theme of "travel and exploration." Patients both on- and off-therapy, families, staff and community supporters gathered this summer to celebrate the grand opening of this unique, family-centered cancer center.

Understandably, children with cancer and their families experience feelings of fear and isolation. The goal of the AFLAC Cancer Center's design and layout is to instill a sense of journey and exploration for these young patients and everyone who visits the center. A design team that included pharmacists, physicians, nurses, parents and child life specialists, working closely with Beers Construction and the Atlanta architectural firm of Stanley, Beaman and Sears, decided to emphasize journey and discovery. The inpatient unit represents the earth, with the three corridors representing the land, sky and sea. The outpatient unit represents outer space.

For families for children undergoing treatment for cancer and other blood-related disorders, the new center provides a state-of-the-art facility. The AFLAC Canter Center is the largest pediatric cancer facility in the Southeast and the only one in the state of Georgia specializing in pediatric bone marrow transplantation.

The newly renovated center, made possible by the generous support of AFLAC Inc., consolidates Egleston's current cancer treatment space into a single location and increase facilities by 33 percent. The inpatient unit provides 25 inpatient beds to patients. The bone marrow transplant unit has increased by 67 percent, allowing Egleston to perform between 90 and 100 bone marrow transplants each year. The renovation allows relocation of the outpatient clinic from outside the hospital to directly next to the inpatient unit, providing one centralized hematology/oncology area. AFLAC's sponsorship also is expanding research resources to help increase survival rates though development of new and better treatments.

"Our friends at AFLAC have become more like an extension of our staff," said Tricia Benson, administrative director of the AFLAC Cancer Center. "AFLAC has become a family name for all of us."

"Children with cancer require unique and special care," said Stephen Lauer, M.D., medical director of the AFLAC Cancer Center. "The AFLAC Cancer Center is providing them with an environment that gives them a sense of comfort, security and diversion from what they are going through."

None of these advancements would have been possible without the support of AFLAC. AFLAC's initial gift to Egleston was $3 million, which was designated to finance the renovation and expansion project. However, AFLAC's support of the cancer center continues to grow.

"It is impossible to list all that AFLAC has done for our families," remarked Benson. "AFLAC's support is as much and emotional and social as it is financial. The people of AFLAC have embraced Egleston on a personal level."

"Entering into a partnership with the goal of helping children and ultimately finding a cure for cancer is a wonderful opportunity for AFLAC," said Daniel P. Amos, president and CEO of AFLAC Inc. "Pediatric cancer is an area of great tragedy and great hope. What the AFLAC Cancer Center represents for these children is hope."

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