Sun Life Financial grows efforts to fight type 1 diabetes in Canada with title sponsorship of the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes

Sponsorship supports growth of type 1 diabetes research and awareness, building upon Sun Life Financial's $22 million global investment to date

TORONTO, May 3, 2018 /CNW/ - JDRF Canada is pleased to announce Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life") as the title sponsor of its longstanding signature Walk event. The newly titled Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF is the largest diabetes fundraising event in Canada which aims to drive fundraising efforts to help accelerate the pace of research and inspire Canadians to learn more about type 1 diabetes.

This partnership will continue to solidify Sun Life's already strong commitment to diabetes in Canada as part of its overall strategy of helping build healthy, sustainable communities for life. As part of the title sponsorship, Jacques Goulet, President of Sun Life Financial Canada has been named the Honorary Chair of the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF.

"We're proud to be named the title sponsor of JDRF's signature walk event as we deepen our commitment to diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research," said Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Financial Canada. "This new sponsorship is a natural extension of our long history of diabetes support and our existing partnership with JDRF. I'm particularly honoured to take on the role of Honorary Chair and rally our employees, advisors, Clients and Canadians to take part in the Walk and the fight against type 1 diabetes."

Sun Life Financial is currently the presenting sponsor of the JDRF Revolution Ride to Defeat Diabetes and has been the national sponsor of the JDRF Walk since 2016.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sun Life Financial as the title sponsor of the Walk. We are aligned on our commitment to bringing greater awareness to type 1 diabetes and accelerating the pace of type 1 diabetes research," said Dave Prowten, President & CEO of JDRF Canada.

This year's Walk event will be held in over 65 cities across the country and will include a virtual Walk led by JDRF's National Spokesperson, NHL hockey star, Max Domi. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Walk, Sun Life Financial will match any online donation of $25 or more between May 3 – 18, up to a maximum of $125,000. For a complete list of locations and dates, visit jdrfwalk.ca.

Sun Life Financial is focused on helping people achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives, taking a holistic approach to supporting the well-being of our Clients, employees and communities with the end goal of helping to achieve physical, mental and financial resiliency both now and in the future. Sun Life Financial has proudly committed more than $22 million in support of diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives since announcing support of the cause in 2012.

Sun Life employees and advisors across the country will also team up with JDRF to drive fundraising efforts and raise much-needed research dollars. Goulet adds, "Sun Life employees and advisors have continually embraced diabetes as our global cause, showing their overwhelming support for local diabetes initiatives like the Walk. We look forward to connecting with employees and advisors across the country to help make the Walk a success."

About 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™ platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ 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.

About JDRF Canada
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. JDRF's goal is to progressively remove the impact of type 1 diabetes from people's lives until we achieve a world without this disease. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure type 1 diabetes. JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of type 1 diabetes research. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.ca. 

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted. 

Media Relations Contact:

Tara Peever McClean
Manager, Corporate Communications
T: 416-420-4707
tara.peever.mcclean@sunlife.com

Erin Whittaker
National Bilingual Communications Specialist
JDRF Canada
T: 647-459-7833
ewhittaker@jdrf.ca  

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada