Mattel introduces its first Barbie with Type 1 diabetes

NEW YORK Mattel has introduced its first Barbie representing a person with Type diabetes as part of wider efforts from the toy maker to increase inclusivity among its dolls In an announcement Tuesday Mattel commented it had partnered with Breakthrough T D a Type diabetes research and advocacy organization formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or JDRF to ensure that the design of the doll truly captures the region That includes accessories that accurately reflect the therapeutic equipment people with Type diabetes may need the California-based company noted Related Articles New deal publicized to maintain Blue Shield patients access to UC strength Stanford researchers develop new tool to measure biological age Medical practitioner accused of abusing patients treated California hospital like a sexual playground attorneys allege Presence of ICE inside California hospital denounced by local leaders immigration activists Cleaning up smog is suddenly much harder in a California reined in by Trump Visibility matters for everyone facing Type diabetes Emily Mazreku director of marketing strategy at Breakthrough T D disclosed in an accompanying announcement And as a mother who lives with Type diabetes she added it means everything to have Barbie helping the world see T D and the incredible people who live with it The new Barbie wears continuous glucose monitor CGM a device that tracks blood sugar levels on her arm while holding a phone displaying an accompanying app She also has an insulin pump attached to her waist And the doll carries a blue purse that can be used to carry other essential supplies or snacks on the go The Barbie s outfit is blue too with polka dots on a matching top and skirt set Mattel says that this color and design are nods to symbols for diabetes awareness This new doll enables more children to see themselves reflected in Barbie Mattel wrote Tuesday and is part of the company s wider Fashionistas line committed to inclusivity The line features Barbies with various skin tones hair colors and textures disabilities body types and more Previously-introduced Fashionistas include a Ken doll with a prosthetic leg and a Barbie with hearing aids Mattel also introduced its first doll with Down syndrome in According to the Centers for Syndrome Control and Prevention million Americans of all ages amounting to about of the U S population were estimated to have diabetes as of the latest year with records available About million had Type diabetes including about children and teens younger than Barbie s new doll with Type diabetes was also introduced at Breakthrough T D s Children s Congress held in Washington D C this week where the organization is advocating for continued federal research funding This year Breakthrough T D has been particularly focused on the Special Diabetes Activity which is in the present set to expire in September