Teddy Bear Helps Children to Live with Diabetes
March 31, 2003

Every day across Australia, two more children are diagnosed with Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, an aggressive autoimmune disease that strikes suddenly, makes sufferers insulin dependent for life and carries the constant threat of devastating health complications such as blindness, heart disease and kidney failure.

Thanks to a new scheme launched by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) with the support of Bayer Diagnostics and Aventis Pharma, children newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes are able to learn about their illness with the help of Rufus and Ruby, the bears with diabetes.

Newly diagnosed children will receive the KIDSAC - a backpack containing a book for parents on managing Type 1 diabetes, a story book and the opportunity to adopt a Rufus or Ruby Bear.

For children, one of the most difficult aspects of Type 1 diabetes is the thought of having injections. To stay alive, they must take multiple insulin injections daily and test their blood glucose level by pricking their fingers for blood four or more times a day. Their diet must be monitored carefully in order to avoid alarming swings in blood glucose and potentially life-threatening hypoglycaemic (low blood glucose) and hyperglycaemic (high blood glucose) reactions.

Rufus and Ruby, the bears with diabetes, were developed to help children overcome the fear of injections and blood glucose tests. The bears have special patches on their arms, hands, legs, stomach and buttocks, which represent injection and blood testing sites. Children can use the bears to practice administering insulin injections, rotating injection sites and testing blood sugar levels.

"Rufus helps children learn to give themselves injections in a non-threatening way," said Sheila Royles, CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

"When they are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, children and their families enter a whole new and frightening world of blood glucose tests and insulin injections. JDRF's KIDSAC is a child-friendly program which really helps children and their parents understand and manage the disease," she said.

KIDSAC stands for Kids who are Insulin Dependent Searching for a Cure. The KIDSAC backpack will be distributed through hospitals and Diabetes Centres.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is committed to finding a cure for diabetes. JDRF is the world's leading non-profit, non-governmental contributor of funds to diabetes research, funding an estimated 35% of all type 1 diabetes related research globally. In Australia alone, JDRF invests $10 million each year in diabetes research.

A digital photograph of Rufus bear and a JDRF Youth Ambassador is available.

For further information:

Karolyn Andrews, Media & PR Manager, JDRF
Ph. 02 9966 0400 (x203) or 0403 787 077 | email: kandrews@jdrf.org.au

Note to Editors: People who want further information about KIDSAC should call JDRF on 02 9966 0400.