Rufus The Bear with Diabetes
Learn about life with type 1 diabetes with Rufus in his new app!
Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes has provided comfort and companionship to newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for 18 years.
He has helped tens of thousands of families be brave as they learn a world of finger pricks and injections, and makes learning about T1D fun! Now, we’re adding to the fun with the launch of his very own app.
The new, free mobile companion app opens up a new world of learning and playing for you and your child with T1D! By helping Rufus manage his diabetes, children gain hands-on practice with counting carbs, monitoring BGLs, and dosing with insulin using virtual diabetes care tools. Our curriculum is co-designed with doctors, educators, and families to create educational content that kids love.
Download here:
When you download the free app, here’s what you’ll find...
Glucometer
Help Rufus check his BGLs by lancing his finger and adding a test strip to the glucometer. When his BGL goes high or low, Rufus speaks symptoms, encouraging kids to recognise how they feel.
Dosing insulin
Use the virtual insulin pen or pump to dose insulin. Learn about injection site rotation by using the injection sites on Rufus’ arms, legs, belly, and butt.
CGM
Attach a CGM sensor to one of Rufus’ patches and monitor his BGLs in real-time as you play! Watch as the CGM shows Rufus’ BGL changing after you feed him, or dose insulin.
Rufus' kitchen
Feed Rufus a healthy diet to help him feel his best. (Or give him junk food—it’s all about choices!) You’ll learn about the impact carbs have on BGLs, and carb counts for basic foods.
Story books
Follow along with Rufus on his journey to train for the All Star Games! All 21 interactive story books are paired with care tasks to reinforce important diabetes lessons.
Want to learn more?
Who is Rufus?
Rufus the Bear with Diabetes® is a cuddly friend given to children on diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. He shows children they are not alone while learning to take insulin and check their BGLs. He’s been supporting Aussie children living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for over 18 years! In 2021, he’s entered the digital age with an app which is available to every family living with T1D.
Can I order the new Rufus for myself/my child?
Unfortunately, the newest Rufus bear is only available to children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from 2022. The good news is, you can still use his app with your much-loved Rufus at home, or without a bear altogether! There are suitable options for all circumstances.
How do I download the new Rufus app?
Rufus the Bear’s App is a free download:
Is my device supported?
Rufus the Bear is built to be compatible with a wide range of device and operating systems.
Rufus the Bear supports iPhones and iPads running iOS 11.0 or later, and most smartphones and tablets running on Android 4.4 and later.
I don’t have a new Rufus. Can I still use the app?
Yes, you can still use Rufus’ app! Simply turn off augmented reality under settings and you can interact with an animation of Rufus.
Alternatively, you can use the augmented reality setting with your “Classic Rufus” or favourite stuffed animal by first selecting the tool you’d like to use, lining up the patch or body part in the outline, and then tapping on the tool icon to take a photo with your camera and launch Rufus’ diabetes tool kit!
How do I change my app from mg/dL to mmol/L?
Update Rufus’ BGL measurement unit under settings in the app. You can also adjust his target range here.
Are carb counts/insulin dosage requirements on the app accurate?
Carb content of foods in the Rufus app have been rounded and simplified and therefore may not accurately reflect true carb amounts for real foods.
Rufus’ lessons are not medical advice! Any content in his world should not be used in place of a medical professional. Please refer any changes in your T1D management to your diabetes care team.
