Fighting diabetes one kick at a time

Sun Life Financial is committing up to $100,000 to the fight against diabetes through the second annual Sun Life Financial Kick Diabetes program, launching today.

For every tweet or retweet of #SunLifeKickDiabetes, during both the CFL’s regular and playoff seasons, Sun Life Financial will donate $1 to JDRF, up to $60,000. This is in addition to a $102 donation, in honour of the 102nd Grey Cup Championship being played in 2014, for each successful field goal kicked during the CFL’s regular season, up to $40,000, for a total maximum donation of $100,000 to JDRF.

“It’s important for us to raise awareness for diabetes because it impacts so many Canadians,” said Mary De Paoli, Executive Vice-President, Public & Corporate Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Life Financial. “By continuing our relationship with JDRF and the CFL, the Kick Diabetes program can have a meaningful impact on the lives of Canadians touched by the disease.”

Sun Life Financial is a proud supporter of JDRF and their research efforts to cure, better treat and prevent diabetes.

“Diabetes is not a disease that you can see or touch, but its effects on those living with the disease can be stressful and overwhelming,” said Dave Prowten, President and CEO, JDRF. “The players’ goal may be the end zone, but our goal is to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. The Kick Diabetes program will allow us to continue to build our research program and further support those living with this disease in their communities across Canada.”

Sun Life Financial is committed to the awareness and prevention of diabetes, committing over $11 million for the cause to date. Funds raised during the Sun Life Financial Kick Diabetes program will be directed to JDRF affiliates across the country.

“Our fans have the biggest hearts and I have no doubt that they will participate once again to support this great cause,” said Mark Cohon, CFL Commissioner. “We are proud to work with Sun Life and JDRF to help raise awareness for diabetes and support preventative research for the disease.”

Just over $40,000 was raised during the inaugural program for JDRF last year to support preventative research to help find a cure for diabetes. Sun Life Financial is building on last year’s momentum by increasing the company’s commitment this year to the Kick Diabetes program and is calling on Canadians to once again join the fight against this disease.

For more information on the Sun Life Financial Kick Diabetes program, please visit www.cfl.ca/sunlife.

For tips on healthy living and diabetes prevention, visit www.BrighterLife.ca/diabetes.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key 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 June 30, 2014 the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $684 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 JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. 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 T1D. As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $530 million in scientific research in 17 countries.

For more information, please visit www.jdrf.ca.

About the Canadian Football League

This is today’s CFL: star athletes playing a great game in modern venues. It’s the home of the 102nd Grey Cup this November in Vancouver. It is where the Ottawa REDBLACKS will debut in 2014, just as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats move into beautiful, new Tim Hortons Field. This is our league: proudly Canadian and steeped in tradition, but built for the future.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.