Latest news with #2025Children'sCongress
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mattel's type 1 diabetes Barbie doll wears an insulin pump and glucose monitor. Here's her origin story
Mattel has released its latest Barbie doll, and it's a win for better representation. Toronto's strategic emergence as a capital of esports There's a new tax deduction for car loans in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' Here's who's eligible—and what's the catch USPS just designed a perfect postage stamp The new Barbie doll visibly lives with type 1 diabetes, wearing an insulin pump and all. Along with the insulin pump around her waist, the doll has a Continuous Glucose Monitor on her arm—held in place with 'Barbie pink' tape—and a phone displaying her blood sugar statistics. The Barbie team worked with Breakthrough T1D, a research and advocacy organization, to design accurate-looking medical equipment. They also collaborated on the doll's blue polka dot dress—a blue circle is the global symbol for diabetes awareness. 'Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,' Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls, said in a statement. 'Barbie helps shape children's early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.' The announcement coincided with Breakthrough T1D's 2025 Children's Congress from July 7 to 9, which featured a donation of Barbie dolls. The Washington, D.C.-based event brings together over 170 children living with type 1 diabetes and gives them face time with members of the U.S. Congress. The event aims to garner ongoing funding for type 1 diabetes research. Diabetes is a chronic condition in which a person's body doesn't produce enough insulin, causing their blood sugar levels to spike, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals living with type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy and typically wear a pump attached to their skin at all times. The CDC reports that about 352,000 children live with diabetes in the United States—a majority of whom experience type 1 diabetes. This number jumps to about 1.7 million when looking at individuals 20 or older who live with type 1 diabetes and use insulin. Mattel has introduced other Barbies living with medical conditions in recent years. In 2019, the company released a Barbie who had a prosthetic leg and another who used a wheelchair. More recently, 2023 saw Mattel launch a Barbie living with Down syndrome. In October 2024, Mattel reported a 17% dip in Barbie's gross billings—despite the enormous success of the Oscar-winning Barbie movie the prior year. The company had hoped for a 3% increase in sales this year, but it pulled that guidance in May after uncertainty around tariffs. Shares in Mattel Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) are up roughly 13% in 2025 so far. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Mattel releases first ever Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes and it's available now
Complete with a CGM and insulin pump, the first ever Barbie with type 1 diabetes is now on sale. Children with type 1 diabetes will now be represented in Barbie world thanks to Mattel's latest release. The toymaking giant has launched its first ever version of the legendary doll that has the condition. Today, July 8, Mattel announced that the new Barbie aims to expand representation and inspire children with type 1 diabetes. The toy company partnered up with Breakthrough T1D, the leading global advocacy and research organisation for type 1 diabetes, to create the doll. The newest Barbie Fashionista will allow children with the condition to finally see themselves represented in the world of this iconic toy - and it even comes with the equipment these kids will use themselves. Type one diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little insulin or none at all. It is managed with insulin therapy and comes with risks of either short and or long-term complications. Barbie collaborated with Breakthrough T1D to accurately reflect the medical equipment often used by those with this condition, including an insulin pump on the doll's waist and a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), which the new Barbie wears on her arm. 'Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,' said Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls. 'Barbie helps shape children's early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.' The newly unveiled Barbie Fashionistas doll with type 1 diabetes is now available online at Mattel Shop, and is available on Amazon for £13.99. It is also available online at Walmart. The details of this new doll have been planned in great detail to raise diabetes awareness all the way down to her outfit, which consists of a matching blue polka dot skirt and top. The colour blue and circular print were inspired by global symbols that represent diabetes awareness. She even has a matching blue bag to store her medication. It comes as part of Barbie's ongoing partnership with Breakthrough TD1, where they also donated dolls to the diabetes organisation's 2025 Children's Congress in the US. 'We were thrilled when Barbie approached us to collaborate on the development of the Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes,' said Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., CEO of Breakthrough T1D. Aaron has lived with T1D since he was 13, and his brother has had the condition since he was 3. He said the partnership with Barbie was deeply personal, and he is grateful to be part of bringing greater visibility to this condition that affects so many families. He continued: "It's an honour to work with a brand that shares our commitment to showing children that a life with type 1 diabetes can be full, vibrant, and empowering.' Lilly Moss, Kate Moss' model daughter who has the condition, was presented with the new doll during its launch, which she described as 'surreal'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
