Sponsorship enables increased awareness of type 1 diabetes and investment in research, building upon Sun Life’s global commitment toward type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Toronto, ON – (April 25, 2019) – JDRF Canada is pleased to announce Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (“Sun Life”) as the title sponsor of its signature Ride event. The newly named Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF is a unique stationary cycling event that sees 11,000 Canadians mobilize in communities across the country to pedal and last year alone raised $3.8 million for ground-breaking type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.
JDRF is very proud to be teaming up once again with Sun Life as the title sponsor for this event as they help raise awareness and funds for finding a cure to T1D. Sun Life became presenting sponsor of the Ride in 2017 and title sponsor of JDRF’s signature Walk event in 2018, solidifying their strong commitment to diabetes in Canada as part of their overall purpose of helping clients achieve a lifetime of financial security and live healthier lives. Now, with their increased involvement as title sponsor of the Ride, Sun Life further establishes themselves as proud supporters of the T1D community.
“We are excited and proud to welcome our longstanding partner, Sun Life, as title sponsor for our Ride,” said Dave Prowten, President & CEO of JDRF Canada. “This partnership will be the second JDRF signature event in which Sun Life acts as a title sponsor, bringing their commitment to diabetes in Canada to the next level. Sun Life’s support through their sponsorship, corporate matching and employee participation will enable us to continue to increase awareness of T1D, accelerate the pace of diabetes research and ultimately work toward our singular vision: a world without T1D.”
The Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF has something for everyone – including team building, exercise, fun music, high-energy excitement, and the knowledge that ride participants are contributing to a great cause. This year’s Ride event will be held in over 35 locations across the country.
“Sun Life is proud to deepen our commitment to JDRF and to those living with type 1 diabetes in Canada as the Title Sponsor of the Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF. We’re teaming up with riders from coast-to-coast as they challenge diabetes and make a difference for Canadians who live with the disease,” said Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Canada. “At Sun Life, we are committed to helping raise awareness and funds for the prevention, care and research of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Our partnership with JDRF in support of the Ride also helps us deliver on our purpose of helping our clients achieve a lifetime of financial security and to live healthier lives.”
To join the Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF, raise funds for diabetes research, and pedal toward a cure visit jdrfride.ca to learn more and help turn type one into type none.
-30-
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.breakthrought1d.ca.
About Sun Life 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 DiabetesTM platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More AccessibleTM program. In Quebec, our sponsorship and donation initiatives also focus on home economics and financial education.
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 18,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada.
| JDRF Media Contact: | Sun Life Media Contact: |
| Arielle Nkongmeneck | Yasna Criscione |
| JDRF Canada | Sun Life Financial |
| T: (647) 789-2000 ext. 2046 | T: (416) 204-8110 |
| ankongmeneck@jdrf.ca | yasna.criscione@sunlife.com |
