Sun Life Financial, the NBA, the Toronto Raptors, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada announced that they have joined forces to launch the Sun Life Dunk For Diabetes program in Quebec.

The program aims to promote 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.

Fitness and nutrition challenges

Dawson Boys & Girls Club hosted the official launch of the program on Feb. 1, where Montreal-based participants pledged their commitment to complete the weekly basketball-inspired fitness and nutrition challenges.

In addition, 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. A group of local Sun Life employees volunteered to help refurbish the facilities.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle

"For us, at Sun Life, true wealth is about health and adopting a healthy lifestyle...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.

Since its start in 2017, the Sun Life Dunk for Diabetes program has been rolled out in 29 communities across Canada. Sun Life Financial has committed nearly $25 million globally to support diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives since 2012.