Celtics players come up big on dunks in November for #SunLifeDunk4Diabetes

BOSTON and WELLESLEY, Mass., Dec. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life has closed out the most successful year yet in the fourth-annual #SunLifeDunk4Diabetes fundraising campaign with the Celtics, raising a total of $80,000 for the Greater Boston YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program. Throughout National Diabetes Awareness Month in November, each Celtics dunk generated $1,000 from Sun Life, with the Celtics Shamrock Foundation matching $25,000. Hashtags on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram generated $1 each. Fans outdid themselves, blowing past a goal of 10,000 hashtags, raising additional money for the campaign. There was also some great dunk action on the court from Al Horford, Jalen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Aaron Baynes and Daniel Theis, all of whom contributed to meeting a 40-dunk goal for the month.

"This campaign has been a wonderful way to cheer on the Celtics, support the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program and raise awareness about the disease's multiple impacts on health," said Dan Fishbein, M.D., president of Sun Life Financial U.S. "Through education and lifestyle changes, these programs can greatly reduce new cases of type 2 diabetes. It's important that we continue to support these community organizations."

With the Celtics season off to a strong start, more fans got involved in #SunLifeDunk4Diabetes than ever before on social media, smashing the hashtag goal by the second week of November, and cheering on the Celtics' amazing win streak.

"We are thrilled to have such incredible fans who not only cheer on our players, but engage so enthusiastically in our community programs," said Ted Dalton, senior vice president of Corporate Partnerships for the Boston Celtics. "Sun Life has been a great partner in moving these programs forward and finding ways for the fans to be involved and make a difference."

#SunLifeDunk4Diabetes has raised $290,000 since it started in 2014. The campaign is part of Sun Life's growing support of the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program nationally, which Sun Life helped launch in Boston, Hartford, Conn. and Kansas City, Mo., in 2014. Since the program's launch, more than 54,000 people have participated, at nearly 1,700 Ys across the country. Sun Life is also working with YUSA to bring the Diabetes Prevention Program to employers and their workforces.

"The support from Sun Life and the Celtics has been essential to continuing our Diabetes Prevention Program," said James Morton, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston. "The program relies on partners like Sun Life who are focused on fighting diabetes and improving people's overall health and wellness."

Sun Life is strongly committed to the fight against diabetes. In addition to community support in partnership with the Celtics, Sun Life conducts a similar program with the Kansas City Royals, and maintains a partnership with the American Diabetes Association to support education and engagement initiatives. Sun Life also offers the Team Up Against Diabetes Grant Program, which funds grassroots organizations focused on diabetes education, management and support. To date, Sun Life has donated more than $17 million globally to the diabetes cause, and $1.8 million to programs focused on diabetes prevention in the U.S.

To learn more about #SunLifeDunk4Diabetes, visit www.celtics.com/SunLifeDunk4Diabetes or www.sunlife.com/usdiabetes.  

About the Boston Celtics
A charter member of the Basketball Association of America (which evolved into the National Basketball Association) since 1946, the Boston Celtics have won a record 17 NBA Championships, including eight (8) in a row from 1959-1966, winning their first title in 1957 and their most recent in 2008. The Celtics have long stood for equality and respect, including hiring the first African American Coach and starting the first all black starting five. In addition, 35 former Celtics players, management or staff have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In December 2002 the team returned to local ownership for the first time since 1963. For more information, log on to www.celtics.com.

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 September 30, 2017, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of C$934 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.

In the United States, Sun Life Financial is one of the largest group benefits providers, serving more than 60,000 employers in small, medium and large workplaces across the country. Sun Life's broad portfolio of products and services in the U.S. includes disability, absence management, life, dental and vision, voluntary and stop-loss insurance. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com/us.

About the YMCA of Greater Boston:
The YMCA of Greater Boston is the state's leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities.  Every day the Y works with thousands of men, women and children to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. The Y is committed to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, each day giving back and providing support to thousands. The Y is committed to helping people live longer, healthier lives. With a mission centered on balance, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health and fosters connections for a fuller life through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. For more than 165 years, the Y has been developing skills and emotional well-being through education and training, welcoming and connecting diverse populations, preventing chronic disease and building healthier communities through collaborations and policymakers. The Boston YMCA is the first in the United States.

Media Contacts:

Devon Portney Fernald
Sun Life Financial
781-416-7151
devon.portney.fernald@sunlife.com

Heather Walker
Boston Celtics
617-854-8072
hwalker@celtics.com

SLPC 28805  12/17  (exp 12/19)

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SOURCE Sun Life Financial