Latest news with #BreakthroughT1D
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Barbie just released a doll with diabetes. Here's why a B.C. content creator is calling it 'incredible'
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. When Bella Bucchiotti was 19, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). 'It came completely out of the blue, and adjusting to life with T1D was overwhelming,' the B.C.-based content creator and founder of the site recalls. 'There's no easing into it — one day you're fine, and the next you're figuring out insulin doses and how every bite of food might impact your blood sugar.' A chronic autoimmune disease that prevents your pancreas from making insulin, people with T1D require insulin therapies in order to survive. The diagnosis changed everything for Bucchiotti. Life, she says, became a constant balancing act. 'No one really sees all the mental load that comes with it,' Bucchiotti says. 'There's a huge learning curve, especially at the start — figuring out how your body responds to food, exercise, stress, even lack of sleep. Every day is different, and that can be exhausting.' Developing the tools and knowledge to help manage her diabetes, Bucchiotti says she's learned to live with Type 1, without letting it define her. Bucchiotti isn't alone in her diagnosis. According to the research and advocacy organization Breakthrough T1D, about 300,000 Canadians have T1D, with that number forecast to increase to 455,580 by 2040. Most diagnoses come between ages 10 and 14, according to Breakthrough T1D. But a diagnosis can come at any age. And that diagnosis can come as a shock. Looking to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes, Mattel Inc. is releasing its first Barbie doll with the disease. The move, Bucchiotti says, could be helpful to people, especially young girls, who might be facing a T1D diagnosis. 'It's a way of being seen and not singled out,' she says. 'That really matters, especially in the beginning when you're learning how to manage it all and you feel so different from everyone around you.' As a new mother, Bucchiotti says the representation can impart an important message to children living with T1D: 'You're not broken, and you're not alone.' 'The mental-health side of diabetes is something we don't talk about enough, especially the isolation,' she says. 'A toy like this sends a message that living with Type 1 diabetes is just one part of who you are, and it doesn't have to make you feel like you don't belong.' Created in partnership with Breakthrough T1D, the new doll wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an important tool that measures a person's blood-glucose level, held in place with a Barbie-pink piece of heart-shaped medical tape. 'Even now, seeing someone else with an insulin pump or CGM at the coffee shop makes me feel like I'm not alone,' Bucchiotti notes of the noticeable inclusion. 'That quiet connection is something really special, because no one else quite understands how tough some days can be.' The doll also features an insulin pump, a small device that allows for insulin dosing as needed, at the waist. 'It gives kids someone — even in doll-form — who truly reflects their experience,' Bucchiotti remarks of the realistic elements of the polka-dot-dress-wearing Barbie. 'Instead of feeling different or ashamed, they see something familiar, something that makes their condition feel normal. 'A Barbie with a CGM might seem like a small gesture, but for a child navigating a life-changing diagnosis, it can bring comfort, confidence and a sense of belonging. It can also open the door for conversations with friends and classmates, helping to build empathy and break down stigma.' Part of the Barbie Fashionistas' line, the Barbie doll with Type 1 joins a collection of more than 175 looks who feature a wide variety of skin tones, eye and hair colours, body types, ethnicities, disabilities and more. The latest doll reflects an 'important step' in Mattel Inc.'s commitment to inclusivity and representation, according to Krista Berger, senior vice-president of Barbie and global head of dolls. For Bucchiotti, the doll represents an important point of connection for the community of people around the world living with the disease. 'Type 1 diabetes is relentless, but it builds a kind of strength you don't expect,' she says. 'It's not always easy, but the T1D community is incredibly supportive. 'Sometimes it's a message from someone who's been there, or even just spotting a CGM on a stranger across the room — those small moments of connection remind you that you're not in this alone.' Aharris@ Opinion: Living with multiple sclerosis is difficult. Living in B.C. makes it harder Margot Robbie would like to make a Barbie musical
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Mattel introduces first Barbie with type 1 diabetes
***Video above: How do toys get into the Toy Hall of Fame?*** (WJW) – The first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes is making her debut, the toy giant Mattel, Inc. announced on Tuesday. The company shared a first look at the newest Barbie, featuring a blue polka dot dress for diabetes awareness, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm and an insulin pump. Mattel said the latest edition helps young children with diabetes to see themselves in Barbie 'and encourages doll play that extends beyond a child's own lived experience.' What to know about the new school cell phone policy in Ohio '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 press 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.' Barbie partnered with the organization Breakthrough T1D to bring the new doll to life (figuratively). The organization focuses on research to help speed up breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes treatment and prevention. Company officials said they worked closely with Breakthrough T1D to make sure the new Barbie best represents people with the condition. Extra itchy, swollen mosquito bites? You could have Skeeter syndrome Barbie also donated dolls to the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children's Congress, an event that brings 170 children with type 1 diabetes to meet with congress members, the release said. Mattel officials said the new Barbie dolls are already available online and in retail stores across the country. According to the Cleveland Clinic, type 1 diabetes, diagnosed in both children and adults, is 'a chronic autoimmune disease that prevents your pancreas from making insulin.' It is considered one of the most common chronic diseases to affect kids in the United States. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The South African
3 days ago
- Health
- The South African
Supermodel Lila Moss meets new Barbie with type 1 diabetes
Mattel has launched the first-ever Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes, marking a significant step in inclusivity and representation. This new Barbie is part of the Fashionistas line. The doll comes equipped with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm and an insulin pump around her waist. These devices are commonly used by people managing type 1 diabetes. The doll wears a blue polka-dot outfit, a colour and pattern internationally recognised as symbols of diabetes awareness, according to the BBC . She also carries a pastel blue purse designed to hold diabetes supplies and snacks, reflecting the practical needs of those living with the condition. The medical devices are realistically detailed, including heart-shaped medical tape securing the CGM. The doll even holds a phone displaying a glucose monitoring app to track blood sugar levels throughout the day. Krista Berger, Mattel's senior vice president and global head of Barbie dolls, said: 'This new doll signifies a significant advancement in our dedication to diversity and inclusion. Barbie plays a crucial role in shaping children's early understandings of the world. By incorporating health conditions like type 1 diabetes, we empower more children to envision themselves in the narratives they create and the dolls they cherish'. Mattel partnered with Breakthrough T1D, an organisation dedicated to type 1 diabetes research and advocacy, to launch the doll and ensure it accurately represents the community. Barbie dolls have remained popular for decades because they offer more than just a toy, they provide a versatile platform for imagination and aspiration. Ruth Handler created Barbie in 1959 and designed her to encourage girls to see themselves in a wide range of roles. This broke away from traditional baby dolls that emphasised caregiving. Supermodel Lila Moss, who has type 1 diabetes herself, was the first to meet the doll. She expressed her support, saying: 'I think it is really important to embrace this technology because it makes living with diabetes so much easier and more practical. It is important to embrace these patches and having them, not hiding them'. This Barbie joins other diverse dolls, such as those representing blindness and Down syndrome. This continues Mattel's commitment to reflecting the real world in its toys. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Mattel unveils first Barbie with type 1 diabetes
Mattel has launched its first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes in a bid to foster a greater sense of inclusion and empathy among children, a company vice-president said Tuesday. The new Barbie has been designed in partnership with the global type 1 diabetes not-for-profit Breakthrough T1D. "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." Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. It is often diagnosed in childhood, and patients have to monitor their glucose levels and take insulin every day. The new doll wears a CGM — a small device that continuously measures a person's blood sugar — on her arm to help manage her condition. To keep her CGM in place, she uses a pink heart-shaped medical tape along with a phone that displays an app to help track her blood sugar levels throughout the day. She also has an insulin pump, a small, wearable medical device that allows for automated insulin dosing as needed, attached to her waist. The doll is wearing a blue polka dot top and matching skirt inspired by global diabetes awareness symbols. Alongside the new model, the company also launched a bespoke Lila Moss doll, complete with the CGM paraphernalia. Moss, daughter of supermodel Kate Moss, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 12 years old. For several years Mattel has aimed to diversify its models, particularly those of the iconic doll Barbie, after having offered for decades - barring a few exceptions - a young, lithe blonde white woman with high heels. Since 2016 the California company notably launched "curvy," "petite" and "tall" versions of Barbie. In 2019, the company unveiled a line of "gender-inclusive" dolls as well as those with physical disabilities.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- 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
