No child should face cancer alone.
Meet Nuru™ — the AI companion helping children understand treatment, feel safe, and stay connected from diagnosis through recovery.
From the first diagnosis conversation to treatment days and beyond, Nuru™ transforms fear into understanding, and isolation into connection.
A child is about to receive treatment.
They're scared. Quiet. Overwhelmed.
Nuru™ gently asks:
“Do you want a joke… or a hug?”
The child smiles.
Then leans in.
Fear softens. The moment shifts.
This is what care should feel like.
Alone with the unknown
"Want a joke or a hug?"
Fear becomes comfort
Try it — what does the child choose?
A light in the darkest moments
Nuru™ — meaning “Light” in Swahili — is an AI-powered pediatric oncology companion designed to explain, comfort, and connect.
Nuru™ begins as a tablet-based experience and evolves into a physical companion — bringing presence, personality, and comfort to bedside care.
Support designed for real moments
Built for when children feel scared, confused, or alone — and need more than information.
Day 1 Diagnosis Support
Transforms complex medical language into simple, age-appropriate explanations children and families can understand — gently.
Day 2 Treatment Coaching
Guides children through chemo, radiation, and procedures with calming routines and real-time emotional support.
Joke Mode
Delivers gentle, hospital-safe humor that helps ease tension and create moments of joy.
Comfort & Hug Mode
Provides calming exercises, breathing support, and visual comfort — with future physical interaction through a safe robotic interface.
Multilingual Support
Ensures every child and family can understand care in their own language.
Safe Peer Connection
Creates moderated, diagnosis-aware connections so children can feel less alone.
Tablet today. Companion tomorrow.
Nuru™ starts as a tablet-based experience — fast to deploy, easy to scale.
Over time, it evolves into a physical companion:
A presence children can see, hear, and feel.
Built for families too often left in the shadows
Created by United Colors of Cancer, Nuru™ is designed to close critical gaps in care.
Because communication gaps should never impact outcomes.
Clear communication for every family.
Built around fear, agency, and comfort.
Inclusive storytelling and tone.
Grounded in pediatric psychosocial oncology and health equity research.
Start with a tablet. Grow into a care companion system.
MVP App
Current- Day 1 & Day 2 flows
- Joke & Comfort modes
- Mood check-ins
- Brave Kit builder
- Multilingual support
Hospital Pilot
- Deploy in pediatric oncology settings
- Gather child life and clinical feedback
- Measure impact on anxiety, understanding, and engagement
- Care team dashboard
- Research partnership
Robot Companion
- Friendly docked robot
- Expressive lights & face
- Huggable shell
- Audio system
- Buddy matching network
Start a pilot with Nuru™
Help children feel safe, seen, and supported during the hardest moments of their lives.
Let's bring Nuru™ to your hospital.