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Barbie Launches First Doll With Type 1 Diabetes: ‘Kids Can See Themselves’

The doll carries a glucose monitor and an insulin pump that come in Barbie’s signature pink.

Mattel has released its first Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes. Retailing for $10.99, the newly released doll comes with a glucose monitor and an insulin pump, medical devices commonly worn or carried by people with the chronic condition. “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 Tuesday. “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.” To ensure that Barbie’s medical equipment was accurate, Mattel teamed up with nonprofit Breakthrough TD1 to help bring it all to life. “It means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families,” Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., CEO of Breakthrough T1D, said in a press statement. “It’s an honor 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.” Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, 2 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes, including around 304,000 children and adolescents.