Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes, has provided comfort and companionship to newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for over 25 years.
Rufus is a cuddly friend given to children when they’re diagnosed with T1D. He comes in Breakthrough T1D’S KIDSAC, which is a backpack filled with helpful information and resources for the whole family.
Rufus shows children they’re not alone while learning to live with T1D, helping families be brave as they learn a world of finger pricks and injections, and makes learning about T1D fun!
But that’s not all – Rufus also has launched his very own app.
The 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 blood glucose levels (BGLs), and dosing with insulin using virtual diabetes care tools.
The curriculum is co-designed with doctors, educators, and families to create educational content kids love.
Download the app for free
The app is available for free from:
Frequently asked questions about the Rufus app
Who is Rufus?
Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes, is a cuddly friend given to children on diagnosis with T1D. He shows children they’re not alone while learning to take insulin and check their BGLs. He’s been supporting Aussie children living with T1D for over 18 years!
How do I download the free Rufus app?
Is my device supported for VR interactions?
Rufus 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, or my VR isn’t working. Can I still use the app?
Yes, you can still use the 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’s diabetes tool kit!
How do I change my app from mg/dL to mmol/L?
Update Rufus’s blood glucose measurement unit under ‘Settings’ in the app.
That’s also where you can also adjust his target range.
Are carb counts/insulin dosage requirements on the app accurate?
Carbohydrate content has been rounded and simplified, and therefore may not accurately reflect true carb amounts for real foods.
