WINNIPEG, MB – The number of Manitobans diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled in recent years as the disease has become a serious public health issue. The University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg) has partnered with Sun Life Financial to help combat this disease. Sun Life is donating over $100,000 to UWinnipeg, which will fund a new pilot program intended to help prevent diabetes among local inner-city youth.
The UWinnipeg Sun Life Diabetes Awareness and Education Program primarily will help youth ages 10-15 who are of Aboriginal, First Nations, Hispanic, Asian, African and South Asian populations and are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. Among Canadian First Nations, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes diagnoses in children as young as eight years old appears to be increasing rapidly.
“With the number of diabetes cases among inner city youth significantly increasing, we believe UWinnipeg is in a unique position to provide effective awareness,” expressed Dr. Glen Bergeron, Associate Dean, Faculty of Kinesiology. “Through prevention programs, education, and relevant research, the expectation of reducing the incidence of diabetes among youth in our communities is attainable.”
The eight week program will bring 80 youth to the University of Winnipeg to learn about diabetes, healthy eating, and active living – all key to preventing this disease. The program runs twice per week, four times a year, to encourage at-risk youth to make healthier choices and curb the growing incidence of Type 2 diabetes.
“We’re pleased to donate to this innovative program at The University of Winnipeg to make a difference in the lives of young people at risk of developing diabetes,” said Mary De Paoli, Executive Vice-President, Public & Corporate Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Life Financial. “This donation fits perfectly with our focus on diabetes prevention and awareness, and our continued efforts to educate and empower Canadians to join us in preventing and managing this disease.”
“I thank our faculty and staff for taking the lead on this relevant community health education initiative,” expressed Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor. “I would also like to thank Sun Life Financial for their generous gift. This will help UWinnipeg advance our health/wellness-related community outreach, and contribute to our research.”
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About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Vietnam and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2012, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $533 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.
Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.
MEDIA CONTACT
Carmela Antolino, Communications Manager, Sun Life Financial
P: 416-408-7246, E: Carmela.Antolino@sunlife.ca
