The Utah Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) will host a Rufus the Bear Breakfast and Vendor Health Fair on Saturday, April 23 to rally community support for people who live with Type I diabetes. --- The health fair will feature suppliers and essential products for diabetic needs.

“Rufus the Bear has been a wonderful encouragement system for children and families living with Type I diabetes,” said Laura Western, Executive Director of the Utah JDRF Chapter. “This event is an opportunity for local families to share their strength and support with other families who have Type I diabetes.”

Rufus the Bear is the JDRF mascot and provides comfort and education to children living with Type I diabetes. The JDRF provides newly diagnosed children with a free Rufus the Bear stuffed animal as part of the Bag of Hope, a family resource and support program, and includes a complimentary blood meter, storybooks and educational materials. Rufus the Bear wears a medical alert bracelet and sports bandages on his body, which correspond to areas where a child would have his/her blood drawn. The Bag of Hope program was started in 2010 as a way to help newly diagnosed children adapt to their lifestyle.

The Rufus the Bear Breakfast and Vendor Health Fair will be held at Wheeler Historic Farm in the Activity Barn, located at 6351 South 900 in Salt Lake City.