Latest news with #BreakthroughT1D2025Children'sCongress
News18
09-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Barbie Launches First Doll With Type 1 Diabetes To Promote Inclusivity
The doll is part of the Fashionistas line-up and comes with a pink glucose monitor on her arm to test blood sugar, an insulin pump and a bag to carry emergency snacks. In a significant move to promote 'inclusivity and representation', Barbie has now launched its first-ever doll with Type 1 diabetes. Yes! You read that right. The doll is part of the Fashionistas lineup and comes with a pink glucose monitor on her arm to test blood sugar, which is held in place with heart-shaped medical tape, an insulin pump and a bag to carry emergency snacks. According to USA Today, the company partnered with Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, a diabetes research organisation, to create the doll. Also, Barbie said in a release, that it will also donate dolls to the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children's Congress, an annual event inviting over a hundred children with Type 1 diabetes to Washington to speak with members of Congress. 'Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks a significant milestone in our pledge to promote inclusivity and representation," said Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and Mattel's global head of dolls, in a statement. 'Barbie shapes children's early perceptions about the world, and by emphasising medical disorders such as T1D, we ensure that more children may see themselves in the stories and dolls they like." Taking to Instagram, Barbie shared a string of pictures of their new doll, dressed in a blue polka dot outfit. As per the company, the blue dot-style is a nod to the global symbols for diabetes awareness and a reminder of the life-changing work being done by organisations like Breakthrough T1D, who are helping make everyday life with type 1 diabetes better,' they wrote in the caption. The post was quick to grab the attention of the viewers, prompting several reactions. An Instagram user wrote, 'I am diabetic and so happy for this doll, she is definitely on my wishlist." One of them shared, 'I'm 47, have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 8 years old. This Barbie is what I've waited for my whole life." Another commented, 'When I was diagnosed at 6 years old, THIS would have meant the WORLD to me. There was simply no representation of T1D in 1979, and kids thought I was contagious." 'I would have absolutely *LOVED* this when I was diagnosed at 5," a comment read. Another one reads, 'Beautiful and powerful – love love love her so much." To promote its new doll, Barbie has now recruited two big personalities- model Lila Moss and Peloton instructor Robin Arzón, who are recognised for their advocacy and visibility in the Type 1 diabetes community. view comments First Published: July 09, 2025, 14:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Barbie launches first doll with Type 1 diabetes, glucose monitor
Barbie announced that it is honoring model Lila Moss and Peloton instructor Robin Arzón with the new doll. Barbie is aiming to expand on inclusivity with the launch of its first doll with Type 1 diabetes. The doll, part of Barbie's Fashionistas line, comes complete with a continuous glucose monitor, insulin pump and other features to represent those diagnosed with the chronic disease. The brand partnered with Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, a diabetes research organization, to create the doll. Barbie said in a release that it is also donating dolls to the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children's Congress, a biennial event that brings over a hundred children with Type 1 diabetes to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress. '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 at Mattel, said in a release. "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.' What does Barbie's new doll with diabetes look like? Barbie worked with Breakthrough T1D "to ensure the doll accurately reflected the medical equipment those with this condition may utilize, as well as the doll's look," according to the release. The doll with Type 1 diabetes includes: What is diabetes? What is Type 1 versus Type 2? Diabetes is a condition that can lead to excess sugar in the blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can include chronic conditions like Type 1 and Type 2, or potentially reversible types like gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes often starts during childhood or someone's teen years, though it can start at any age. Type 2 diabetes is the more prevalent of the two and is more common in people older than 40. Barbie honors Lila Moss, Robin Arzón with Type 1 diabetes doll Barbie also recruited two big names to help promote its new Type 1 diabetes doll. In a release, the company announced that it is honoring model Lila Moss and Peloton instructor Robin Arzón with the new doll. Both Moss and Arzón have Type 1 diabetes. Arzón said in a statement that she hopes the doll "can help show kids that all types of challenges give us all the more reason to push forward and achieve our dreams.' Moss also called the honor "both surreal and special.' How to get Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes Barbie's new doll with Type 1 diabetes is available now. It has a suggested retail price of $10.99, the company said in a release. The new product is available at some retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, where it is priced at $10.99 each. Those interested in buying the new doll can find out where to buy it on Mattel's website. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
