January 2, 2008
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation > Media Room > January 2, 2008

Sun Life Financial Punjabi Cardiac Rehabilitation Education Program launches at SMH

Surrey, B.C. – A program tailored to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s Punjabi-speaking heart patients is offering its first education sessions on January 7th.
 

The Punjabi Cardiac Rehabilitation Education Program was created following a $100,000 donation from Sun Life Financial. The pilot project is based on the hospital’s current Cardiac Rehab Education Program and will be available to Punjabi speaking patients who have had a recent heart attack, heart surgery, or are at high risk for heart disease.
 

Research shows people of South Asian descent are a high-risk group for heart disease and are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than the general population. They are also affected at a younger age. The Punjabi Cardiac Rehabilitation Education Program will help make lifestyle changes in order to remain heart healthy.
 

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. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide.
 

Since 1992, Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation has raised more than $45 million to support the hospital with equipment, programs, and research. Currently, the Foundation is involved in its $15 million Emergency Centre Campaign. The B.C. government has committed to funding the essentials of a replacement to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s current E.R. – the busiest in B.C. The Foundation’s $15-million campaign will ensure the new Emergency Centre is state-of-the-art.
 

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For more information or interviews, contact:
Jason Howe
Public Affairs Director
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation
604-585-5666 ext 8284
cell: 604-613-6873
jason.howe[at]fraserhealth.ca
www.smhfoundation.com