NEWS RELEASE
NHL player Max Domi laces up to lead the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF in Montreal
The annual walk aims to raise $5 million nationally to accelerate type 1 diabetes research
Montréal, Québec, June 9, 2019 – Montreal Canadiens’ centre Max Domi will be walking at the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF in Montreal, joining over 35,000 Canadians taking part in Walk events from coast to coast.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12, Domi is working with JDRF to increase awareness for type 1 diabetes in his second year as National Spokesperson by sharing his story about living with this chronic disease.
“You’ve got to control your diabetes, you can’t let it control you,” Domi says. “I am so excited to partner with JDRF Canada to help raise funds for the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF. We’re closer than ever to finding a cure and we need your help.”
“We’re excited to have Max as a leader in the fight to find a cure for type 1 diabetes,” President and CEO of JDRF Canada, Dave Prowten says. “Not only is Max’s personal story inspiring young people who live with type 1 diabetes to follow their dreams, he’s also encouraging all Canadians to team up for type 1 by participating in the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF.”
Since its inception in Canada in 1994, the Walk has raised over $126 million for diabetes research. This year, JDRF aims to raise $5 million with the support of Sun Life as its Title sponsor, Bell Media as its National Media Sponsor, and Max Domi, JDRF’s National Spokesperson.
“This is an exciting time for type 1 diabetes research with new advancements in the areas of cell pouch technology and islet transplantation moving us closer to finding a cure,” Prowten says. “Having a partner like Sun Life as Title sponsor for our Walk for the second year is key to ensuring that this momentum continues.”
Sun Life has been involved with the Walk since 2014 as the National Sponsor and increased its already strong commitment to diabetes in Canada by becoming the Title sponsor of the Walk in 2018. Since announcing global support of the cause in 2012, Sun Life has committed more than $25 million in support of diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives.
“With so many Canadians affected by diabetes, it’s more important than ever to come together to fight this disease. That’s why we’re proud to be the Title sponsor of the walk, strengthening our commitment to diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research,” President of Sun Life Financial Canada, Jacques Goulet says. “We’ve rallied our employees, advisors, clients and families to walk for diabetes. Together, we can beat diabetes, one step at a time.”
Join the Walk in person by registering at jdrfwalk.ca or follow all the excitement on social media using the #SunLifeWalk and #JDRFWalk hashtags.
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About JDRF Canada
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. JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.
About Sun Life Financial 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 Diabetes™ platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ 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.
For more information about the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF or to arrange interviews and/or photo opportunities with Max Domi, JDRF spokespeople and/or Sun Life spokespeople, please contact:
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JDRF/FRDJ Media Contact Arielle Nkongmeneck C: 647-789-2000 ext. 2046
For on-site interview requests for Max Domi, Dave Prowten, and JDRF Ambassadors, please contact: Soledad Vega C: 647-459-7881
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Sun Life Media Contact Yasna Criscione T: 416-204-8110
Mylène Bélanger T. 514-904-9739
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