EUGENE THE GENE
CF Source is a resource site for parents and caregivers of children with cystic fibrosis. To make complex information more accessible, we created a character named Eugene the Gene—an educational cartoon figure that helped kids (and their parents) better understand the disease state in a non-intimidating way. Through short, engaging cartoons, Eugene became a friendly, familiar guide to the world of CF.
But we wanted to take it further. Instead of just passively watching videos, what if families could interact with Eugene and learn on their own terms? That idea led us to create Eugene the Gene’s Big Book of Words: an interactive A-to-Z experience that lived on the CF Source website. Using clips from our original cartoon series, the game helped users explore key terms, symptoms, and treatments related to cystic fibrosis. It was fun, educational, and gave families a deeper understanding of CF in a format that felt engaging, not clinical.
