Latest news with #T1D
Yahoo
2 days 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
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Sozo Australia: The Aussie haircare brand born from a shock diabetes diagnosis — now loved by thousands
Sozo Australia is a haircare brand with a founder who knows all too well the struggles of hair loss firsthand. From July 13 to 19, Australia observes National Diabetes Week, a time to raise awareness of one of the country's most misunderstood chronic illnesses. For Isabella Charanduk, Founder of Sozo Australia, this week carries a deeply personal significance. Her own experience with an unexpected and life-threatening diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) changed the course of her life and led to the creation of an all-natural haircare range that is now transforming lives. In 2019, Isabella found herself in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), fighting for her life. She had developed Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious and potentially fatal complication that often accompanies the initial onset of T1D when left undiagnosed. For two months prior, she had been unknowingly living with tell-tale symptoms of the autoimmune condition, unaware that her body was in crisis. 'I was extremely unwell and didn't know how close I was to serious, irreversible harm,' Isabella tells Best Picks. 'The symptoms were there, but I didn't recognise them for what they were.' Isabella's message today is simple but urgent: know the warning signs. The symptoms she experienced fall into a group commonly referred to as the four Ts: Tired: Experiencing extreme or unexplained fatigue. Thirsty: Excessive and unquenchable thirst. Toilet: Frequent urination, even during the night. Thinner: Sudden, unexplained weight loss. Type 1 Diabetes can strike anyone at any age, often without warning, and its early signs are too often mistaken or ignored. Following her diagnosis and recovery, Isabella faced a new challenge: telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair loss triggered by physical stress and illness. As she watched her hair thin and shed in alarming amounts, she began searching for solutions, but the products she found either contained harsh chemicals or failed to deliver real results. This search sparked an idea: to develop a truly natural, effective haircare range tailored to restoring and maintaining hair health. That idea became Sozo Hair Health, a line of high-performance, all-natural hair products manufactured on the Gold Coast and now loved by thousands across Australia and beyond. 'I didn't set out to start a business, ' Isabella explains. 'I just wanted to understand my own hair health and feel good again. But through that journey, I found a calling — to help others feel the same.' Sozo Hair Health products are crafted with ingredients that are not only natural but also scientifically supported. From aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to beetroot extract, finger lime, and hydrolysed quinoa, each product is designed to nourish the scalp and strengthen the hair, without compromising on performance. Other potent botanicals like green tea and lavender oil are carefully selected to soothe the scalp, reduce inflammation, support hair growth, and boost shine — naturally. 'I noticed the difference in my hair, after just one week using these products,' one impressed shopper wrote. 'My hair is so much softer and feels so much healthier after using this haircare,' another person added. 'My hair is loving this, so much shinier and amazing results,' a third reviewer commented. Best picks:
Express Tribune
5 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.
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Health
- Gulf Today
First Barbie representing a person with Type 1 diabetes introduced
Mattel has introduced its first Barbie representing a person with Type 1 diabetes, as part of wider efforts from the toy maker to increase inclusivity among its dolls. In an announcement on Tuesday, Mattel said it had partnered with Breakthrough T1D – a Type 1 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 community." That includes accessories that "accurately reflect the medical equipment" people with Type 1 diabetes may need, the California-based company noted. "Visibility matters for everyone facing Type 1 diabetes,' Emily Mazreku, director of marketing strategy at Breakthrough T1D, said in an accompanying announcement. And as a mother who lives with Type 1 diabetes, she added, "it means everything to have Barbie helping the world see T1D 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 colour 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 colours 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 2023. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 38.4 million Americans of all ages –amounting to about 11.6% of the U.S. population –were estimated to have diabetes as of 2021, the latest year with data available. About 2 million had Type 1 diabetes, including about 304,000 children and teens younger than 20. Barbie's new doll with Type 1 diabetes was also introduced at Breakthrough T1D's 2025 Children's Congress held in Washington, D.C. this week, where the organization is advocating for continued federal research funding. This year, Breakthrough T1D has been particularly focused on the Special Diabetes Programme, which is currently set to expire in September.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Barbie Expands Representation by Introducing First-Ever Doll With Type 1 Diabetes
Mattel, Inc. announced on July 8, 2025, that it debuted the first-ever Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This is the newest addition to the "Barbie Fashionistas" line, which features more than 175 looks across various skin tones, eye colors, hair textures, body types, and disabilities, including a blind Barbie doll, a Barbie doll with Down Syndrome, and a Barbie doll with hearing aids. '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.' Barbie says it partnered with type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), to ensure the doll's design accurately represented the T1D community, including the medical equipment. The doll includes: Continuous glucose monitor (CGM): CGMs are small, wearable devices that continuously measure a person's blood-sugar levels. To keep the doll's CGM in place, she uses heart-shaped medical tape, along with a phone that displays a CGM app to help track her blood sugar levels throughout the day. Insulin pump: Barbie has this small, wearable medical device that allows for automated insulin dosing as needed, attached to her waist. Blue polka dot outfit: The doll wears a stylish polka dot top and matching skirt with ruffles. Both the color blue and circle print are nods to the global symbols that represent diabetes awareness. Purse: The doll comes with a pastel blue purse, perfect for Barbie to carry any essentials, such as type 1 diabetes supplies or snacks, when she's on the go. 'We were thrilled when Barbie approached us to collaborate on the development of the Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes,' said Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD, CEO of Breakthrough T1D. 'I have lived with T1D since I was 13, and my brother since he was 3, so this partnership is deeply personal—it means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families. 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.' As new generations engage with brands, it's important for brands to continue evolving with the culture. And while it's a never-ending effort, making sure all communities feel seen is a valuable part of growing up. Barbie took a step to honor type 1 diabetes advocates, Peloton Instructor Robin Arzón in the U.S. and model Lila Moss in the U.K. with their own specially-designed dolls. '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 said in a statement. Moss seconded the notion, with, 'I am proud to use my platform to educate around type 1 diabetes and show that being different is cool." People have already begun voicing their appreciation for what Barbie is doing with T1D dolls. "We are so excited to see the Lila Moss Barbie Doll celebrating people living with type 1 diabetes," shares Jeminee Ternus, mom to a 9-year-old daughter named Romey who has T1D. "It means so much to Romey in particular because she said 'the world is full of T1Ds, so why not show them!'" Ternus goes on to say seeing a doll like this, wearing an Omnipod (insulin pump) just like one Romey uses, gives her daughter confidence. "As a parent, I love it because instead of teaching kids that they have to fit themselves into an unrealistic mold, or [they have to hide what's] unique about them, it's embracing real kids who get to see their favorite doll showing up exactly like them," says Ternus. "If Barbie can show up brave in something that makes her different, Romey can too!" It's not only kids who are feeling represented by this initiative from Barbie. Eden Miller, DO, who's a doctor from Bend, Oregon, shares with Parents, 'I am a 54-year-old diabetes doctor who has been living with type 1 diabetes for 30 years now. Yesterday I learned about the new T1D Barbie, specifically the one-of-a-kind Barbie inspired by Lila Moss. I immediately clicked on the image and saw the Omnipod on her leg and a CGM on the back of her arm—symbols that so many of us carry with us every day. I'm not a little girl anymore, but having a T1D Barbie shows kids and adults that they are strong and beautiful.' Moss added that feeling seen is reciprocal, and something that should continue to inspire. "Receiving messages from people who see my patches and feel represented means everything to me," she says. "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.' Read the original article on Parents
