Originally posted January 18, 2026 by CambridgeToday, authored by Matt Betts*.
Staff at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital are using a fun approach to help ease the anxiety of a diabetes diagnosis for kids.
When delivering the news to children and their families, doctors and health-care professionals can give them a Barbie with Type 1 Diabetes.
Equipped with a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump, the doll is used to educate and provide comfort during what can be an emotional time.
"While diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses worldwide, receiving this diagnosis is an incredibly overwhelming event," said Jennifer Bova, clinical educator facilitator of diabetes education at CMH.
"Children especially may not know much about the condition. Being told you have diabetes can be sad or confusing for kids. It helps show children that diabetes isn't something to be scared of. If Barbie can do it, they can too."
The initiative was conceptualized through a partnership between Mattel Inc., the owner of Barbie, and diabetes organization Breakthrough T1D.
Dolls are donated by the community through the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation wish list, which also features hygiene items, activities, clothing and labour memory boxes for patients.
The dolls are given to all genders and have been well received, Bova said.
"It helps them feel like diabetes is normal and encourages positive self-esteem," she said.
"They can also show their doll to others and help their peers understand more about their diagnosis and some of the tools they might use like an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor."
Kristen Lauzon knows all about the challenges and emotions that come with breaking the news to a child.
Her son, Nathan, was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic in 2019. And while the Barbie wasn't available at the time, she thinks it's a great idea.
"When I heard about it, it kind of got me excited," Lauzon said.
"I never would wish this disease on anyone, but Cambridge Memorial Hospital giving newly diagnosed children the limited edition diabetes Barbie can show them something that looks like them."
Lauzon believes supporting children mentally is just as important as helping them medically.
When her son was younger, she would explain information in simple terms, read diabetes related children's books and share the responsibilities of administering his insulin and carb counting. She feels a toy can help in the process.
"The biggest thing is reminding him diabetes is something he has, not who he is," she said.
"Diabetes is known to be a roller-coaster, so there will always be ups and downs and you're always learning as the years go. You don't need to become an expert Day 1."
*Note: This story was posted to our website for the purposes of promoting on social media due to the Canadian Media block in place on most social media networks.