Latest news with #SpecialDiabetesProgram
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Mattel's newest Barbie has diabetes
Dressed in a matching polka dot tank top and ruffled skirt with blue chunky heeled boots and a mini purse, Mattel's newest Barbie may look like previous dolls at first glance. But this particular doll stands out with a wearable insulin pump on her waist, a glucose monitor on her arm and a phone showing her blood sugar readings, making her the El Segundo-based toy company's first Barbie with Type 1 diabetes. The doll continues Mattel's expansion of representation across its flagship brand. The Barbie Fashionistas line features more than 175 looks across various skin tones, body types and disabilities, including previous additions like a blind Barbie, a Barbie with Down syndrome and a Barbie with hearing aids. The company's commitment to representation has proved commercially successful. In 2024, the top 10 most popular Barbie Fashionista dolls globally included the blind Barbie and the Barbie with Down syndrome. The Fashionistas series also includes dolls with vitiligo, prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs. The wheelchair-using doll has consistently been a top performer since its introduction in 2019. Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel, said Barbie helps shape children's early perceptions of the world. Reflecting medical conditions like T1D ensures 'more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.' The doll was developed with Breakthrough T1D, the leading global Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. The partnership ensured medical accuracy while incorporating diabetes awareness symbols through the clothes' blue coloring and polka dot pattern. Aaron J. Kowalski, chief executive of Breakthrough T1D, said the partnership is about 'bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families.' The doll launched Tuesday during Breakthrough T1D's 2025 Children's Congress in Washington, D.C. The event brings together more than 170 children living with Type 1 diabetes, giving them face time with members of Congress to advocate for ongoing funding for Type 1 diabetes research. This year they asked members of Congress to renew funding for the Special Diabetes Program. The Special Diabetes Program's current funding expires after September. The program, first allocated by Congress in 1997, faces uncertainty amid recent cuts to federally-funded projects. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition affecting nearly 9 million people globally, with about 352,000 children living with diabetes in the United States. The CDC reports that 1.7 million individuals 20 or older live with Type 1 diabetes and use insulin. The new Barbie is available through Mattel Shop and retailers nationwide.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Barbie's chic new doll has type 1 diabetes and it is making a request to the US government
Barbie doll is once again back in spotlight, but it's for a new fashion trend this time. Popular toymaker Mattel has introduced its first-ever Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes . The doll comes with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), insulin pump and a pastel-blue purse which is filled with diabetic essentials. But apart from this, the diabetes special version of Barbie doll is also making an appeal to the US government. The doll is asking the US government to renew the funding for the Special Diabetes Program . Barbie's chic new doll has type 1 diabetes Mattel has launched the Type 1 diabetes edition of barbie in partnership with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). The latest Barbie doll joins the brand's inclusive Fashionistas line, which already features dolls with Down syndrome, hearing aids, and vitiligo. The new Barbie, dressed in a chic blue polka-dot outfit (a nod to global diabetes awareness colours), proudly features a CGM on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump clipped to her waist. She also comes with a miniature smartphone displaying a glucose tracking app and a pastel blue purse for essential diabetes supplies and snacks. Barbie doll which comes with mission The release of the diabetes special Barbie coincides with 2025 Breakthrough T1D Children's Congress. It is a biennial event where over 170 children living with Type 1 diabetes travel to Washington, D.C., to meet lawmakers. Mattel has donated dolls to the event to help amplify the message — extend federal funding for the Special Diabetes Program. The program supports research and care of 300,000+ American children living with the condition. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Associated Press
09-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Statement from Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD, CEO of Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF, the Leading Global Type 1 Diabetes Research and Advocacy Organization, on NIH Indirect Costs Cuts
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 'The announcement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that they are dramatically reducing funding for indirect costs for research grants is a threat to research that will disrupt critical medical advances. Funding for indirect costs is essential funding because it pays for the infrastructure that is required to make research possible. This cut will significantly decrease the federal funding that research institutions receive to conduct critical type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. This includes grants funded by the Special Diabetes Program. The decades of strong Federal support for T1D research have paid immense dividends. Developing cures requires that strong support to continue. This action is a step backward that hurts not only T1D research and the 1.6 million Americans living with T1D but also research for many other diseases. The impacts will be vast and far-reaching. We are working with legislators and key decision makers to express our deep concerns and ensure they understand the impact of this decision and any actions that undermine or delay reaching cures.' About Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with type 1 diabetes better while driving toward cures. We do this by investing in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working with government to address issues that impact the T1D community, and helping educate and empower individuals facing this condition. About Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) T1D is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little insulin or none at all. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short and long-term complications, which can include highs and lows in blood sugar; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death. Globally, it impacts nearly 9 million people. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for nearly 50% of all T1D diagnoses. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D. 646-946-0513
