Help fight diabetes and kick start your health

Sep 21, 2015

Sun Life Financial teams up with the Canadian Football League in the fight against diabetes

TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Today marks the beginning of the Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) Kick Diabetes program in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and Diabète Québec. In collaboration with the Canadian Football League (CFL), Sun Life is donating $65,000 to the fight against diabetes as part of this initiative and is committed to the prevention of diabetes and its related complications.

Now in its third year, the Sun Life Financial Kick Diabetes program runs through to the 103rd Grey Cup presented by Shaw. By partnering with the CFL, Sun Life hopes to encourage Canadians to take a type 2 diabetes online risk test at www.sunlifekickdiabetes.ca, reminding Canadians that knowing their risk level is simple yet vital.

"We are excited to partner with the CFL to shine a light on diabetes prevention in Canada," says Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy & Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. "At Sun Life, we see first-hand the physical and financial impact diabetes has on Canadian families and that's why we've committed over $13 million in support of diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives since 2012."

This year, the Sun Life Financial Kick Diabetes program will connect CFL fans with their favourite players through social media interaction using the hashtag #SunLifeKickDiabetes. Team Sun Life captain, John Chickof the Saskatchewan Roughriders, will participate in weekly Twitter challenges against other CFL players from each of the nine teams, competing for the highest number of retweets. Team Sun Life players will be engaging fans through tweets, photos and videos to raise awareness for diabetes and its related complications throughout the program.

"Learning your risk of type 2 diabetes is an important step to take charge of your health. The CDA works with Canadians affected by diabetes so they can best manage the disease and prevent new cases of type 2 when possible. We are thankful to Sun Life and the CFL for helping us get the message out about knowing your risk and taking action," says CDA President and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Blickstead.

"We are proud to partner with Sun Life in their efforts to raise awareness for diabetes prevention", says CFL Commissioner, Jeffrey L. Orridge. "We have the most involved fans in Canada and we are confident that with their support we can encourage all Canadians to take charge of their health and take the test."

Canadians are urged to get involved. Visit www.sunlifekickdiabetes.ca to take a type 2 diabetes online risk test or visit www.cfl.ca/sunlife for more information.

 

About Sun Life Financial

Celebrating 150 years in 2015, Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in a number of markets worldwide, includingCanadathe United States, the United KingdomIrelandHong Kongthe PhilippinesJapanIndonesia,IndiaChinaAustraliaSingaporeVietnamMalaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2015 the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $808 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

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

 

About the Canadian Football League

Today's CFL is more than just our great game of football. It's fans sharing their excitement for what they see on the field, and what they experience off it. Stay up to date on all the non-stop action at CFL.ca. And join all of Canada as we celebrate the 103rd Grey Cup, presented by Shaw, this November in Winnipeg.

 

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.   

SOURCE Sun Life Financial  

 

For further information:

Media Relations Contact:
Alessandra Nigro
Manager
Corporate Communications
T. 416-979-4884
C. 416-859-6918
alessandra.nigro@sunlife.com