Sun Life Financial and William Osler Health
System launch innovative diabetes prevention program
TORONTO, March 31, 2017 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc.
(TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) is proud to announce a $300,000 commitment to the William Osler Health
System (Osler) Foundation to launch the Sun Life Financial Osler
Global Health Program (Global Health Program) and the Sun Life
Financial At Risk Diabetes Clinic (At Risk Clinic) at Peel Memorial
Centre for Integrated Health in Brampton. These unique initiatives will
support diabetes screening, treatment and collaborative research to
benefit patients in high-risk populations such as Punjab,
India and surrounding communities
of the Greater Toronto Area
(GTA).
"We're committed to working with Osler to provide enhanced
access to diabetes prevention and care initiatives through the
Global Health Program and At Risk Clinic," said Lisa Ritchie, Senior Vice-President and Chief
Marketing Officer, Sun Life Financial. "At Sun Life, we understand
the value in collaborating with local health care organizations to
improve access to care; exchange knowledge and skills; and find
innovative ways to improve services at home and abroad."
According to the World Health Organization, diabetes prevalence
in India is among the top three
highest in the world and the region served by Osler has one of the
highest incidences of diabetes in Ontario. The Global Health Program will
significantly improve diabetes care in the GTA and Punjab, with the
biggest impact in India coming
through increased access to diabetes education and care for rural
villagers through diabetes medical camps. The Global Health Program
will also engage nursing students as a way to educate the next
generation of health care professionals in Punjab on how to
prevent, diagnose and treat diabetes. Closer to home, the impact
will be felt through comparative research opportunities into
diabetes and other chronic diseases.
"We recognize that diabetes is a huge concern in the region we
serve, as well as in India where
so many of our patients and their families are from," said
Ken Mayhew, President and CEO,
Osler Foundation. "We are grateful
to Sun Life Financial for their support of both programs. This new
partnership will provide improved access to diabetes care that is
urgently needed and help fill a gap and reduce the prevalence and
severity of the disease."
Sun Life Financial and Osler Foundation also announced today the
creation of the At Risk Diabetes Clinic at Osler. Opening in
spring/summer 2017, the At Risk Diabetes Clinic will help identify
and provide support to individuals at risk of developing or those
who have already been diagnosed with prediabetes. Without
intervention, prediabetes is likely to develop into type 2 diabetes
within 10 years or less. However, with the proper support and
access to education and resources, the progression from prediabetes
to type 2 diabetes can be stopped. The At Risk Diabetes Clinic will
offer dedicated fitness, education and dietary/nutritional support
to people and their family members at risk of developing type 2
diabetes, including children between the ages of 6 and 18.
Sun Life Financial takes a holistic approach to supporting the
well-being of Clients, Employees and communities around the world.
Since announcing diabetes as our key business and community giving
priority across our global footprint, Sun Life Financial has
committed over $17 million to the
cause.
About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a
leading international financial services organization providing a
diverse range of insurance, wealth and asset management solutions
to individuals and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has
operations in a number of 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 December
31, 2016, Sun Life Financial had total assets under
management of $903 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 William Osler Health System
William Osler Health
System is a hospital system that serves 1.3 million residents of
Brampton, Etobicoke, and surrounding communities within
the Central West Local Health Integration Network. Osler's
emergency departments are among the busiest in Canada and its labour and delivery program is
one of the largest in the province. William Osler Health System
Foundation builds and fosters relationships in order to raise funds
to support William Osler Health System's capital, education and
research priorities at Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General
Hospital and the new Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and
Wellness.
Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.
Media relations contacts:
Alessandra Nigro
Manager, Corporate Communications
Sun Life Financial
T. 416-979-4884
C. 416-859-6918
alessandra.nigro@sunlife.com
Alineh Haidery
Regional Manager, Public Relations
William Osler Health System
T: 416-670-3592
alineh.haidery@williamoslerhs.ca
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada