Sun Life Financial (Sun Life), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Toronto Raptors, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) are teaming up to launch the Sun Life Dunk For Diabetes program in Quebec – the first program of its kind in the province.
Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes aims to promote the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle as a means of preventing type 2 diabetes. As part of this initiative, children from Boys & Girls Clubs in Montreal, Longueuil and Stoneham-et-Tewksbury will participate in a six-week health and wellness program this winter.
Dawson Boys & Girls Club hosted the official launch of the program today, where Montreal-based participants pledged their commitment to complete the weekly basketball-inspired fitness and nutrition challenges. Each week includes basic exercises, nutritional and diabetes education, and healthy habits, with the chance to win prizes after each challenge is completed.
As part of today’s announcement, a newly refurbished basketball court was unveiled by Sun Life and the NBA. Members of the local community and Dawson Boys & Girls Club will benefit from the newly renovated facilities, which include new floors, baskets and more. A group of local Sun Life employees volunteered to help refurbish the facilities.
“For us, at Sun Life, true wealth is about health and adopting a healthy lifestyle. With the Dunk for Diabetes program, which is being launched today in Quebec, we are continuing our efforts to stop the progression of type 2 diabetes in the country. I am so glad children in Montreal, Longueuil and Stoneham-et-Tewksbury can now benefit from this program which will be a valuable legacy in their future,” said Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Financial Canada.
“Physical activity and healthy lifestyles are key to minimizing long-term health risks for children and youth,” said Owen Charters, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. “Thanks to the generosity of Sun Life Financial and the NBA, we are excited to expand the very successful Dunk for Diabetes program to Boys and Girls Clubs in Quebec and use the power of sport to bring prevention and awareness of type 2 diabetes to more young people.”
“Basketball unites communities, develops core values, and can help instill healthy habits that last a lifetime,” said Dan MacKenzie, Vice President and Managing Director, NBA Canada. “We’re proud to play a pivotal role in the Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes program, harnessing the passion and excitement Canadians of all ages have for the game, while shining a spotlight on the importance of disease prevention and physical activity.”
Since its inception in 2017, the Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes program has been rolled out in 29 communities across Canada. This program is part of Sun Life Financial’s commitment to proactive and preventive health and wellness programs that help build stronger, healthier communities. Type 2 diabetes affects a great number of people around the globe and has very significant complications. Sun Life Financial has committed nearly $25 million globally to support diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives since 2012.
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