Sun Life Financial and the Toronto Raptors have announced the Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes program, aimed at awareness and prevention of type 2 Diabetes among youth.

"Commitment to living a healthy lifestyle is tantamount to the positive values and ideals we embrace on the court. Through basketball, we encourage Canadians of all ages to have fun and stay active, and we're proud to support Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes' groundbreaking and innovative approach in the fight against this disease," said Dan MacKenzie, vice president and managing director, NBA Canada in an announcement Oct. 17.

Teaches importance of a healthy and active lifestyle

Masai Ujiri, Toronto Raptors president, Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors Head Coach, DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors player, and Jerry Stackhouse, Raptors 905 Head Coach, helped kick off the program with over 50 kids from Toronto-area Boys and Girls Clubs as they pledged their commitment to healthy and active living.

In conjunction with NBA Canada and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, this six-week program will have participants take part in weekly, basketball-based fitness and nutrition challenges, with the chance to win prizes after each challenge is completed. The top 10 kids from each Club will celebrate their achievements with the Toronto Raptors and NBA Legends at the end of the program. Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes starts in five Toronto-area Clubs this fall expanding nationally to 20 locations across Canada by early 2018.

Education and awareness

"One of the best ways to encourage youth to get active and eat well is through sport," said Lisa Ritchie, senior vice-president and chief marketing officer, Sun Life Financial. "We know that education and awareness are key to preventing type 2 diabetes. By teaming up with the Raptors, NBA Canada and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada to introduce the Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes initiatives and further expand the Sun Life Team up Against Diabetes program, we can tackle this disease on and off the court."