Barbie’s first doll with Type 1 diabetes comes complete with accurate glucose monitor, insulin pump

There’s a brave, new Barbie in the box.

Mattel announced the release of the first-ever Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes, complete with a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump in Barbie’s signature pink.

“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.”

Mattel partnered with Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, to ensure that the doll accurately captured the community and to accurately depict the medical equipment those with the condition may use.

On her arm, the new doll wears a continuous glucose monitor to help manage her type 1 diabetes, held in place with pink heart-shaped medical tape. It also comes with a Barbie phone that displays a CGM app to help track her blood sugar levels — just like the real-life monitors, which track glucose levels 24 hours a day via a sensor under the skin.

Barbie also has an insulin pump attached to her waist that can automatically administer insulin as needed.

Mattel even worked with Breakthrough T1D to determine the dress pattern. She wears a blue polka dot top and matching skirt, and the color blue and circle print are both nods to global symbols that represent diabetes awareness.

Of course, the new Barbie also has a purse to carry any essentials on the go, such as type 1 diabetes supplies or snacks.

“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 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.”

In coordination with the release of the new Barbie with type 1 diabetes, Barbie also honored two global type 1 diabetes advocates, Peloton Instructor Robin Arzón in the US and model Lila Moss in the UK, with their own one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls.

“To be able to now see Barbie dolls with T1D, and to receive a Barbie doll that visibly looks like me even wearing her patches, is both surreal and special,” Moss said.

“It’s an absolute honor to receive a Barbie doll as a part of the brand’s efforts to grow awareness and representation surrounding type 1 diabetes, so that we can help show kids that all types of challenges give us all the more reason to push forward and achieve our dreams,” Arzón added.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make little or no insulin, a hormone that allows sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy, ultimately leading to dependence on insulin therapy.

Approximately 1.24 million people in the US live with type 1 diabetes, and that number is expected to grow to 5 million by 2050.