Sun Life Financial contributes $500,000 to support research

Posted: November 25, 2013 12:45 p.m.

(L to R) Vianne Timmons, University of Regina president and Harold Riemer, Dean of Kinesiology and Health Studies accepting Sun Life Financial's gift from Kevin Dougherty, President of Sun Life Financial Canada during Grey Cup weekend. Sun Life Financial's contribution of $500,000 will support two health-related initiatives at the University of Regina: The Lifestyle Management Program for Children with Diabetes and the Psychology Training Clinic.
(L to R) Vianne Timmons, University of Regina president and Harold Riemer, Dean of Kinesiology and Health Studies accepting Sun Life Financial's gift from Kevin Dougherty, President of Sun Life Financial Canada during Grey Cup weekend. Sun Life Financial's contribution of $500,000 will support two health-related initiatives at the University of Regina: The Lifestyle Management Program for Children with Diabetes and the Psychology Training Clinic. Photo: U of R Photography

Through a generous contribution of $500,000, Sun Life Financial is providing funding for two important program areas at the University of Regina.

The gift will support two health-related initiatives at the University of Regina. The Lifestyle Management Program for Children with Diabetes will receive $250,000 and be facilitated through the Dr. Paul Schwann Applied Health & Research Centre. Using a multidisciplinary team of experts, the Lifestyle Management Program will provide participants with the tools to be successful in managing their diabetes with a focus on exercise and education.

Another $250,000 will support the Psychology Training Clinic, which offers an alternative setting for the provision of psychological services to residents in and around Regina. The Clinic provides student-therapists enrolled in the Clinical Psychology Program in the Department of Psychology with opportunities to implement psychological services under the guidance of highly trained supervisors.

“I would like to express the University of Regina's appreciation for Sun Life Financial’s very generous gift,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons. “Health-related initiatives are an area of priority for both of our organizations. For that reason, this support for the Psychology Training Clinic and the Lifestyle Management Program for Children with Diabetes is incredibly important as we work to develop and implement unique and proactive approaches to improving the health of our communities.”

"Sun Life Financial is committed to helping slow the advance of diabetes and its related complications," said Mary De Paoli, Executive Vice-President, Public & Corporate Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer of Sun Life Financial. "As those who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from mental illness, we’re delighted to support the Lifestyle Management Program for Children with Diabetes and the Psychology Training Clinic at the University of Regina. We want to empower Canadians to join us in the fight against diabetes."

Since its inception in 1980, the Dr. Paul Schwann Applied Health & Research Centre has offered a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, Chronic Disease Prevention, Management and Risk Reduction Program, Exercise Therapy, and Workplace Wellness Services. It has expanded over the years and now offers numerous health, fitness and lifestyle services and programs to the residents of Regina and Southern Saskatchewan, including the medical community, general public, business sector, provincial, national and university athletic teams, and the University of Regina faculty, staff and student body.

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2013 the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $590 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.