Donation supports expansion of Toronto Rehab's virtual diabetes
resource hub
TORONTO, April 5, 2021 /CNW/ - Worldwide more than 463
million people are living with diabetes, one of the fastest growing
health challenges of our time. To help those living with the
disease, Sun Life is donating $600,000 to Toronto Rehab-UHN. The funding will
support the development of education materials for a new virtual
diabetes program. The program provides information, tools and tips
to prevent type 2 diabetes and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Sun Life's initial commitment of $1
million in 2016 supported the launch of Sun Life Diabetes
College; an online, interactive resource hub that helps people with
diabetes manage their health through exercise, education and living
a healthy lifestyle. The pandemic has forced more people online,
increasing the need for virtual programs offering health-related
information. Sun Life is committed to investing in programs that
raise awareness of diabetes and drive healthy behaviour change.
"We believe that empowering individuals to take charge of their
health can have a real impact. With the number of Canadians
affected by diabetes growing every year, investing in programs
focused on education and healthy habits can create positive and
lasting change," said Linda
Dougherty, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Strategy and
Global Marketing, Sun Life. "As a large global organization, we are
proud to champion diabetes awareness, prevention and care around
the world. We are pleased to renew our commitment to Toronto Rehab.
The important work they are doing is helping those with diabetes
live healthier lives."
Since launching in 2016, close to 16,000 Canadians have accessed
the tools, tips and information on the resource hub. Topics include
how to prevent, manage and treat diabetes, as well as the
importance of exercise and a healthy diet. For individuals living
with diabetes, Sun Life Diabetes College has helped increase:
- Knowledge about diabetes (22%)
- Physical activity (21%) and motivation to exercise (14%)
- Commitment to eating a healthy diet (25%)
The new 16-week exercise and education based virtual program
will help participants anywhere in Ontario manage diabetes and achieve health and
lifestyle goals. A team of health experts including kinesiologists,
dietitians, social workers, psychologists and physicians will
educate participants on how to treat their diabetes, get active,
eat healthy and take control of their well-being.
"We are grateful to continue our collaborative partnership with
Sun Life," said Dr. Paul Oh, Medical
Director of UHN's Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
Program. "Together, we are improving and expanding Sun Life
Diabetes College in response to our growing, worldwide need for
effective, virtual diabetes education and care."
Since 2012, Sun Life has committed more than $37 million globally towards diabetes awareness,
prevention and care. A few examples of our support in Canada include:
- Canada's Children's
Hospital Foundations - Invested $2
million to establish the Sun Life Child and Youth Type 2
Diabetes Prevention Program. An initiative to help children and
adolescents adopt healthy living and lifestyle choices.
- Right to Play – Donated $1.5
million to support Indigenous youth through the Promoting
Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program.
- Montreal Heart Institute – Committed $450,000 to fund a diabetes prevention clinic to
identify diabetes through early detection and promote healthy
lifestyle strategies.
Learn more about the impact Sun Life is making around the world
in the 2020 Sustainability Report.
Celebrating 100 Years of Insulin
Sun Life has a long
history supporting health and wellness in Canada. As an early sponsor of the Banting
Research Foundation, Sun Life donated $25,000 in 1925 for medical research. The
foundation was named after Frederick G. Banting, one of two
Canadians who discovered insulin. Today, we are proud to sponsor
100 Years of Insulin: Celebrating its impact on our lives.
This free, virtual event on April 14,
2021, hosted by the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre,
Diabetes Action Canada, and the University of
Toronto Department of Medicine, will share research updates,
stories on living with diabetes, and the latest advances related to
insulin. Learn more here.
Sun Life in the community
At Sun Life, we are
committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life.
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 health, with an emphasis on
diabetes awareness, prevention, and care initiatives; and mental
health, supporting programs and organizations with a focus on
building resilience and coping skills.
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 close to 12,000 hours
each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals
and families across Canada.
Learn more about Sun Life in the community.
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.