About Childhood Cancer<\/h4>\n

According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rates for all childhood cancers combined increased from 58.1 percent in 1977 to 79.6 percent in 2003.<\/p>\n

In 2007, approximately 10,400 children age 15 or younger were diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Cancer remains the leading cause of death by illness in the U.S. for people age 15 or younger.<\/p>\n

Aflac Duckprints is committed in its mission to eradicate childhood cancer. Thanks to donations made to the research and treatment of this disease, 75 percent of childhood cancers can now be cured.<\/p>\n

In honor of Mother\u2019s Day and Aflac\u2019s goal to help support the fight against childhood cancer, Aflac will donate $2 to the Aflac Cancer Center for every post or tweet of former Aflac Cancer Center patient Trisha Henry Gaffney\u2019s inspiring story using #Duckprints.<\/p>\n

Trisha Henry Gaffney’s Story<\/h4>\n

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On Valentine\u2019s Day 1996, 19-year-old Trisha was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive tumor usually found in the head, neck, hands or feet of young children. Trisha\u2019s was the first reported case to occur in the right ureter, the tube connecting the kidney and bladder.<\/p>\n

After going through surgery to remove her right kidney, ureter and a portion of her bladder, Trisha spent a year at the Aflac Cancer Center undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.<\/p>\n

Following her treatment for this rare form of cancer, Trisha Henry Gaffney was eager to put her health problems behind her. The last thing she wanted to do was dwell on the effects of her illness.<\/p>\n

Trying to Get Back to Normal<\/h4>\n

Trisha was eager to get back to school, and in January 1997, she went back to Illinois \u2012 where she was a student and scholarship swimmer at the University of Illinois \u2012 to finish the last few months of chemotherapy.<\/p>\n

Her treatment ended in April 1997, and she was ready to put her focus on all of the positive forces in her life. During her treatment at the Aflac Cancer Center, Trisha had started dating Andrew Gaffney, a fellow swimmer from high school. She had a big group of friends in Champaign, Ill. she looked forward to seeing again. In addition, she became a journalism major with the goal of focusing her energy on telling others\u2019 inspirational stories of overcoming obstacles.<\/p>\n

In 1998, a friend encouraged Trisha to visit the Cancer Survivor Program at the Aflac Cancer Center. The Aflac Cancer Center provides specialized, long-term follow-up care and helps identify and treat problems associated with the effects of cancer treatment to help survivors lead a full life, including school, work and a family of their own. However, the idea of going to even more doctors didn’t sit well with Trisha.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want your cancer to define you,\u201d Trisha said, \u201cbut as you get older, you realize it plays a much bigger part in your life than you\u2019re willing to admit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n