- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Shining Brighter Than Tennessee Orange https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1300356?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1300356?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1300356?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Shining Brighter Than Tennessee Orange&body=ESG News from Aflac Incorporated https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1300356?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives](/CSR-News/philanthropy-cause-initiatives) # Shining Brighter Than Tennessee Orange Sep 17, 2025 3:10 PM ET Campaign: [Aflac Stories](/news/campaign/aflac-stories) ![Young patient inspires the Tennessee Volunteers ahead of Aflac Kickoff Game.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/Aflac_East%2BTN%2BChildrens_Aflac_9.17.25A.jpg "Young patient inspires the Tennessee Volunteers ahead of Aflac Kickoff Game.") ![Tennessee Football Head Coach Josh Heupel presenting an Aflac My Special Duck and a football to a young patient.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/Aflac_East%2BTN%2BChildrens_Aflac_9.17.25B.jpg) ![Young patient inspires the Tennessee Volunteers ahead of Aflac Kickoff Game.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/Aflac_East%2BTN%2BChildrens_Aflac_9.17.25A.jpg?h=bb3b5ec2 "Young patient inspires the Tennessee Volunteers ahead of Aflac Kickoff Game.") ![Tennessee Football Head Coach Josh Heupel presenting an Aflac My Special Duck and a football to a young patient.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/Aflac_East%2BTN%2BChildrens_Aflac_9.17.25B.jpg?h=67459e72) [Originally published on Aflac Newsroom](https://newsroom.aflac.com/Shining-brighter-than-Tennessee-orange) A little over a week before Tennessee faced Syracuse in the Aflac Kickoff Game, Hudson watches a Friday morning Tennessee football practice from an exclusive sideline spot. Taking in the sounds of buzzers and coaches’ voices, highlighted by accents of orange and white, Hudson, joined by his parents and two siblings, celebrated an early 13th birthday gift. As Tennessee prepared for its football season, Hudson’s daily preparation took on a different perspective. Undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor detected last December, Hudson was tasked with strategizing a challenging game plan at just 12 years old. Though chemotherapy and proton therapy are very present in his life, today’s presence was about being a kid again. Taking a brief hiatus from appointments at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Hudson embraced all the orange eye candy accentuated by championship trophies, the NFL wall and, of course, the Peyton Manning Room. Amid all the memorabilia, an even more special moment was about to take place. Just as practice wrapped, Tennessee Football Head Coach Josh Heupel ended the session a little differently. With [My Special Aflac Duck®](http://www.myspecialaflacduck.com/) in hand — a free-of-charge robotic companion that provides comfort and joy to children during their cancer treatment — Coach Heupel greeted Hudson and introduced him to the team. Surrounded by good vibes and smiles, there wasn’t a Volunteer football player that walked away without greeting their special guest for the day. Though determination describes the players on the field, they caouldn’t help but commend Hudson’s own competitive nature in his medical journey. Hudson’s story and grit are special but, unfortunately, not uncommon. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 15,000 children under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S. As the nation’s longest-running neutral-site game on opening weekend, the Aflac Kickoff Game blends passion for football with dedication to making a difference. Through Aflac’s partnership with Peach Bowl Inc., the game places an emphasis on purpose and the support of participating teams’ communities through the Kickoff for a Cause initiative while also benefiting the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In the first three years of Aflac’s sponsorship of the kickoff game, Kickoff for a Cause has helped raise more than $1.2 million while bringing much-needed awareness to pediatric cancer at the start of September, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This milestone year marks 30 years of Aflac’s commitment supporting pediatric cancer care and research, with more than $191 million contributed since support began. You can also make a difference by visiting **give.choa.org/aflac** to donate today. Aflac WWHQ |1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999 Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, New York 12211 Continental American Insurance Company | Columbia, SC Z2500845 Exp. 9/26 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/4C_pos_Aflac_Logo.png)](/profiles/aflac-incorporated) ### More from Aflac Incorporated ###### [How To Go ‘Beyond Words’ With Acts of Compassion and Kindness](/news/how-go-beyond-words-acts-compassion-and-kindness) Apr 2, 2026 8:30 AM ET ###### [Finding Courage in a Feathered Friend](/news/finding-courage-feathered-friend) Mar 31, 2026 9:00 AM ET ###### [Aflac 2025 Agents of Care Prove the Power of Compassion in Action](/news/aflac-2025-agents-care-prove-power-compassion-action) Mar 27, 2026 9:20 AM ET ###### [Spring Cleaning Your Budget: A Fresh Start for Your Finances](/news/spring-cleaning-your-budget-fresh-start-your-finances) Mar 25, 2026 9:00 AM ET ###### [Aflac Celebrates 20 Years as a World’s Most Ethical Company](/news/aflac-celebrates-20-years-worlds-most-ethical-company) Mar 18, 2026 10:00 AM ET ###### [Comfort in Feathers: How a Duck Provided Support During Cancer Journey](/news/comfort-feathers-how-duck-provided-support-during-cancer-journey) Mar 13, 2026 8:45 AM ET ###### [From Diagnosis to Ringing the Bell](/news/diagnosis-ringing-bell) Feb 18, 2026 8:30 AM ET ###### [Nudge the Ones You Love To Get Checked](/news/nudge-ones-you-love-get-checked) Feb 12, 2026 12:20 PM ET