Sun Life Financial is proud to help more than 2,500 Philadelphia students experience the genius of Vincent van Gogh through tours and educational programs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Van Gogh: Up Close, co-sponsored by Sun Life, opens to the public at the museum on February 1 and offers a window into the genius of the master painter - exploring his fascinations, ranging from nature to Japanese prints, through landscapes and still lifes gathered from collections around the world.

Courtesy of Sun Life, students from Philadelphia public schools and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will have a chance to experience some of Van Gogh's most engaging works through complimentary private exhibition tours every Monday until the exhibition closes May 6. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the sole American venue for this international traveling exhibition.

"At Sun Life, we are committed to ensuring a brighter future for the communities in which we operate, not just through our products and services, but through our corporate giving and partnerships," said Michael E. Shunney, Sun Life Financial Senior Vice President and General Manager, Employee Benefits Group. "Partnering with the Philadelphia Museum of Art and supporting this groundbreaking new exhibit enables us to further extend our roots into the Philadelphia community. We're proud to offer thousands of deserving youth the opportunity to view the amazing works of a master painter."

Sun Life's sponsorship of the Van Gogh exhibit is part of a broad company effort to support youth enrichment and education in Philadelphia and around the country. Philadelphia students recognized through the company's signature philanthropic initiative - the Sun Life Rising Star Awards program - will also benefit from the sponsorship by receiving private tours of the exhibit. Now entering its third year, the Sun Life Rising Star Awards program aims to address low high school graduation rates in large urban school districts by providing financial and educational resources to students and nonprofit organizations committed to increasing success in high school and beyond. In Philadelphia, Sun Life has supported students through Philadelphia Futures, the Urban Affairs Coalition, Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) and the Philadelphia Youth Network, Inc.

As part of its sponsorship, Sun Life will receive recognition in all exhibit-related print and multi-media advertising and materials, and in the exhibit catalog. Company officials and employees will also receive tickets to the VIP dinner and opening night gala, private tours led by the museum Docent Guides and Exhibition Curator, a museum store shopping discount and use of Philadelphia Museum of Art meeting space.

In May 2012, Van Gogh: Up Close heads north to Canada, home to Sun Life Financial's global headquarters, where Sun Life will serve as the exclusive presenting sponsor at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

About Sun Life Financial

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, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. In the United States and elsewhere, insurance products are offered by members of the Sun Life Financial group that are insurance companies. Sun Life Financial Inc., the holding company for the Sun Life Financial group of companies, is a public company. It is not an insurance company and does not offer insurance products for sale in the United States or elsewhere, and does not guarantee the obligations of its insurance company subsidiaries. Product offerings may not be available in all states and may vary depending on state laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com/us. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

SLPC 24052 1/2012 (Exp. 1/2017)

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Alexi Maravel, 781-446-1624
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