Sun Life is improving prevention and care for diabetes
[Logo] Sun Life
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Diabetes is a global epidemic that is expected to affect over a billion people by 2050.
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Diabetes is a global epidemic
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We’re committed to changing that.
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Committed to changing that
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Across the globe, Sun Life is removing barriers to prevention and care by supporting charities that deliver programs which help prevent type 2 diabetes.
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Across the globe
Removing barriers to prevention
Prevent type 2 diabetes
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We've donated over 60 million Canadian dollars in the fight against diabetes since 2012.
Today, we're improving over 70,000 lives each year through our programs.
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Today we’re improving 70,000 lives each year
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Community programs like Sun Life's Hoops Plus Health in Asia, Fit to Win in the US, and the Play Program in Canada
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Hoops+Health Asia
Fit to Win in the US,
PLAY Program Canada
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are empowering people to embrace healthy habits and access the resources they need.
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Empowering people to embrace healthy habits
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Beyond philanthropy, we're creating holistic solutions that support people living with diabetes
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Beyond philanthropy
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from day-to-day management through our Diabetes Care Program to long term protection for loved ones through our term insurance for Diabetes in Industry First in Canada.
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Term Insurance for diabetes
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At Sun Life, we're improving access, amplifying our impact, and helping people live healthier lives in support of our purpose.
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Helping people live healthier lives
[Logo] Sun Life
Getting a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is life changing. It affects not just individuals, but entire families and communities around the world. The numbers are staggering; projections suggest the global count of people living with diabetes could more than double to 1.3 billion by 2050 (The Lancet, 2023).
The good news? Type 2 diabetes, which makes up most cases, is largely preventable and can even be reversible. That’s why Sun Life is taking action.
Since 2012, we've donated more than $60 million CAD to community programs worldwide, all dedicated to removing the barriers to diabetes prevention and care. Today, these programs are improving over 70,000 lives each year.
Here are some of the ways our commitment is making a tangible difference on the ground.
Empowering youth and building health in Asia
We’re tackling the worldwide rise in youth inactivity head-on with programs that make living a healthier life fun and accessible:
Hoops+Health
Partnering with Beyond Sport, this program offers free basketball sessions across six countries (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore). In just two years, participation has surged by 250%, reaching 48,000 lives. It’s exercise that feels like play!
Malaysia’s Blood Glucose Screening
We’ve expanded our screening program to over 228 locations, offering testing and a three-month coaching program. The results are powerful - half of those who complete the program show reduced blood glucose levels.
Teaming up with the Celtics in the United States
We’ve joined forces with the legendary Boston Celtics to bring health education and fitness to young people:
Sun Life Fit to Win
Since 2015, Sun Life's annual "Fit to Win" program has been making a positive impact on youth health education. This Celtics-themed initiative offers fun activities designed to teach essential healthy habits to young people. Each year, the program reaches over 2,500 participants, with Sun Life employees from Massachusetts and Maine volunteering their time to support this community effort.
#SunLifeDunk4Diabetes
A community favourite! This fundraiser has generated over $1 million since 2013, directly supporting the YMCA of Greater Boston’s critical Healthy Habits Program.
Delivering innovative health solutions and programs across Canada
In Canada, we're breaking new ground with high-impact initiatives:
Sun Life Term Insurance for Diabetes
This industry-first product offers Clients living with diabetes insurance coverage with more affordable premiums, ensuring that a diagnosis doesn't mean a financial barrier.
Right To Play's PLAY Program
Supporting this initiative since 2015, we promote holistic health for Indigenous youth through culturally relevant, play-based learning that’s all about empowering the next generation.
Sun Life Diabetes Prevention and Remission Clinic
Established with the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation, this clinic helps people actively modify their lifestyle and, in some cases, reverse a diabetes diagnosis. This week Sun Life and the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation for diabetes renewed their partnership with a new donation of $600,000 from Sun Life. This brings Sun Life’s investment to more than $1.5 million since the clinic’s inception in 2019.
More than donations: A deeper commitment
Our commitment to tackling diabetes reflects our deep understanding of the impact it has on people and communities. We’re helping those living with diabetes lead healthier, more financially secure lives.
With our Purpose at the heart of everything we do, we are creating innovative solutions, fostering vital community engagement, and working to break down barriers to prevention and care.