Sun Life Financial Team Up Against Diabetes Regional Grant program provides support to organizations dedicated to fighting diabetes in their local communities

TORONTO, ON, May 6, 2019 - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) is proud to kick off the 2019 Team Up Against Diabetes Regional Grant program, which rewards organizations for supporting type 2 diabetes prevention, management and education efforts in their local communities across Canada.

Sun Life Financial has been dedicated to slowing the advance of type 2 diabetes and its related complications for several years, committing over $25 million globally towards the cause. Since 2012, Sun Life has sought partnerships with charities and organizations around the world in order to help facilitate and sustain the fight against diabetes.

In 2016, the Team Up Against Diabetes Regional Grant program was launched in North America to continue the fight against type 2 diabetes on a grassroots level. The regional grant program provides programmatic support to registered charities focused on diabetes awareness, prevention, education and care.

Applications for 2019 are now being accepted until May 31, 2019.

“We’re thrilled to continue our grant program to help local charities that are fighting the fight against diabetes and making a real difference in the health and well-being of our communities,” says Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy and Sponsorships, Global Marketing, Sun Life Financial. “Whether it’s getting a diabetes awareness program off the ground, educating people on the risks associated with pre-diabetes or instilling the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, we’re looking for community organizations that are helping to change people’s lives.”

Since launching the Canadian program two years ago, recipients have been recognized for their innovative approaches to type 2 diabetes prevention and/or management. These community organizations have received funds to support and enhance the reach of programs at the community-level.

2018 Sun Life Financial Team Up Against Diabetes Regional Grant program winners:

University of British Columbia:
The grant will help UBC launch Healthy Eating Workshops pilot in 4 elementary schools in Surrey, BC with the highest South Asian population. The pilot will create a unique opportunity for South Asian children and their parents to establish the shared experience of 'eating and cooking healthy' as a way of life. The workshops will be 90 minutes: 20 minutes with a dietician, 60 minutes of cooking and 10 minutes of orientation of the SPACE website.

The pilot program will host four workshops for 80 parent-child teams (20 teams per workshop) and once the pilot is completed, Dr. Tricia Tang and her team will launch 20-minute mini workshops to 1700 students in four elementary schools.

The Toronto Grace Health Centre:
The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre is a 119-bed facility owned and operated by The Salvation Army located in the heart of downtown Toronto.

With the growing prevalence of type 1 and type 2 Diabetes and the continuing emphasis on Chronic Disease Management and Prevention of Complications, Toronto Grace Health Centre has identified a need to develop a diabetes management program for its patients and the need for more education and training of the clinical staff, specifically nurses who are at the front of the diabetic patients’ care 24/7.

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario features a Best Practice Spotlight Organization program, which includes guidelines to provide improved Diabetic Care.

The grant will help provide the clinical staff the training and education required to provide BPSO program’s diabetic care in the following areas: The Subcutaneous Administration of Insulin in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes, Assessment and Management of Foot Ulcers for People with Diabetes and Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes.

How to Apply for the 2019 Sun Life Financial Team Up Against Diabetes Regional Grant program
If you know or are affiliated with a registered Canadian charity fighting type 2 diabetes, we encourage you to apply for the 2019 Sun Life Financial Team Up Against Diabetes Regional Grant program between March 1 – May 31. Selected charities will be announced in September 2019.

Connect with Sun Life Financial
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Sun Life Financial in the community
At Sun Life Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life and we're proud to hold the Caring Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, Employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our Team Up Against Diabetes^TM platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible^TM program. We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our Employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering over 29,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada. Read more about Sun Life Financial in the community.

Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars

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Media Relations Contact:
Matthew Betti
Coordinator, Global Marketing
Corporate Communications
T. 647-326-8683
Matthew.betti@sunlife.com