Tangible action to prevent diabetes

Nov 5, 2013

Sun Life Financial maximizing its commitment to prevention and education during Diabetes Awareness Month

MONTREAL, Nov. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial is today renewing its commitment to preventing diabetes and its complications through three different initiatives during Diabetes Awareness Month. From the announcement of a new partnership to hosting diabetes screening clinics, Sun Life Financial is proud to be supporting this important cause.

"Last year we announced that we were making prevention of diabetes and its complications our national cause. The projects we have planned for the month of November demonstrate our ongoing support for this issue. Our focus on education and awareness is a direct reflection of who we are as a company. The results of our recent survey show that almost one-quarter (24%) of this country's employers say stress and sedentary lifestyles are the top major health risks for Canadians1. So, promoting healthy lifestyles is in our corporate DNA, and diabetes prevention is an excellent fit for us," said Isabelle Hudon, President, Sun Life Financial Quebec.

Second annual Diabetes Prevention Day in many regions of Quebec

One in four diabetics is unaware they have the disease, which is why on Thursday, November 7, from 3 to 7 p.m., most of Sun Life's financial centres right across Quebec will be hosting screening clinics for a second year, in cooperation with Diabetes Québec. Health professionals will be on hand during Diabetes Prevention Day to answer questions from the public and to let people know about both the risks associated with this disease, and the ways to prevent it. There is no charge for the test and the results, ready in 5 minutes, are completely confidential. The Anjou Financial Centre will be a real hub of activity as it welcomes former Canadiens player Patrice Brisebois, who is himself the epitome of a healthy lifestyle. Patrice will be joining us to raise awareness among Diabetes Prevention Day attendees.

List of financial centres hosting Diabetes Prevention Day activities on November 7

  • Anjou: 7101 Jean-Talon Street East, suite 812
  • Baie-Comeau: 859 Bossé Street, suite 208
  • Chicoutimi: 225 Racine Street East, suite 200
  • Côte-Nord: 456 Arnaud Street, suite 210, Sept-Îles
  • Gatineau: 15 Gamelin Street, suite 601
  • Grand-Portage: 298 Armand-Thériault Blvd., suite 3c, Rivière-du-Loup
  • Laurentides: 500 Galeries des Laurentides, suite 260, St-Jérôme
  • Quebec City: 5500 des Galeries Blvd., suite 400
  • Pointe-Claire: 1 Holiday Ave., suite 255 (east tower)
  • Rimouski: 97 St. Germain Street East
  • Rouyn-Noranda: 1 du Terminus Street East
  • Shawinigan: 695 de la Station Ave., suite 400
  • Ste-Julie: 2123 Armand-Frappier Street, suite 201
  • Trois-Rivières: 1055 des Forges Blvd., suite 440

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1 2013 Sun Life-Buffett National Wellness Survey


A partnership that bleeds red, white and blue

Throughout the month of November, Sun Life Financial will donate $1,000 to the Diabetic Children's Foundation every time the Montreal Canadiens score a goal during their home games (up to $25,000). The campaign starts tonight at the Centre Bell and will run for the Canadiens 7 home tilts.

Sun Life is also joining the now-famous Canadiens-evenko blood drive, in cooperation with RDS, that will be held this year on November 20. We will be hosting a diabetes screening clinic in conjunction with Diabetes Québec, where testing will be available to the public in a fun and upbeat setting.

Diabetes Québec and Sun Life Financial: a lasting partnership

Not only is Diabetes Québec taking part in the various screening clinics we are hosting in November, yesterday they launched their first-ever diabetes prevention advertising campaign, made possible with support from Sun Life Financial. We encourage you to visit www.preventiondiabete.ca to learn more about ways to prevent this disease.

"Our entire team is working hard on planning these activities to help Quebecers learn more about diabetes and to slow the spread of this epidemic. Today close to 2.5 million Quebecers are living with diabetes or are prediabetic. We hope that many people in our communities will answer Sun Life's call to action," concluded Isabelle Hudon.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2013, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of CDN$591 billion. For more information, please visit http://www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under ticker symbol "SLF".

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada

For further information:

Contact
Geneviève Jutras
Sun Life Financial
514-866-3361
genevieve.jutras@sunlife.com