To help at-risk communities in Montreal that are disproportionately affected by diabetes, Sun Life is donating $800,000 to McGill University.
The funding, which will be handed out over the span of three years, will support McGill University’s Ingram School of Nursing (ISoN) and develop a network of five clinics. The clinics will be located within Montreal, operating in collaboration with community partner organizations that serve indigenous peoples and the homeless.
“Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing diseases around the world. Sun Life is committed to preventing the disease, while helping those with diabetes and pre-diabetes live healthier lives,” said Sun Life Canada president Jacques Goulet. “With a long-standing focus on community health and wellness, we believe everyone deserves access to support their well-being. We are excited to partner with ISoN to deliver these important programs.”
Goulet added that Montreal is a city where Sun Life’s employees live and work, and that supporting the needs of vulnerable populations in the city is the key to a healthier and more sustainable future for Canada.
“These nurse-led clinics—made possible with the support of Sun Life—help us fulfill our mandate of service to the community and simultaneously provide a unique frontline practicum experience for our students,” commented McGill University associate dean and ISoN director Dr. Anita Gagnon. “It is critical that our students receive the best clinical nursing education possible. To reach that objective, they need exposure to a range of health issues experienced by Canadians in a community setting.”
Since 2021, Sun Life has committed over $38 million globally to diabetes awareness, preventions, and care efforts.
