Sun Life is improving prevention and care for diabetes

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.

Driving Diabetes Awareness and Prevention activities in the Philippines

• Community Programs: In partnership with Institute of Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Inc., Sun Life visited various communities to hold nutrition counseling, fitness activities, and diabetes screening, engaging as many as a hundred residents per area.
• Diabetes Corners: Moreover, in Sun Life Barangay Health Stations built in remote areas in partnership with Health Futures Foundation, Inc., Diabetes Corners remain active in providing residents with ample guidance about the disease.

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.