Diabetes care kit for American Girl dolls

American Girl doll with insulin pump

When I was growing up, I had “Addy” the American Girl. I held on to her for years and recently gave her to my nieces so she can enjoy a second generation of family. I can’t imagine how it would have been if she had an insulin pump on her hip and a medical alert bracelet on her wrist, just like me. But because of American Girl, this is now a reality. 

From Huffingtonpost.com

American Girl just made an awesome move toward inclusiveness. Starting this year, kids with diabetes are able to give their American Girl dolls diabetic care kits. 

According to the company website, the kits feature insulin pumps, blood sugar monitors, lancing devices, glucose tablets, insulin pens, diabetes log books, adhesives, medical bracelets and more. Priced at $24, the kits became available for online purchase on Jan. 1. 

The new doll accessory comes after a powerful petition from a young girl with diabetes received over 4,300 signatures. In January 2014, then-11-year-old Anja Busse created a Change.org petition calling for American Girl to offer diabetes-related accessories for dolls, not just for herself but for other kids like her.

Read the rest of the article here

Like many of you in the DOC, at Medtronic we’re thrilled about this new accessory and think it’s an important step forward for diabetes awareness. We also LOVE the fact that a 11-year-old girl with diabetes dreamed up this idea and had community support to make it a reality. What do you think about this? 

 

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Submitted by Robin Thornton (not verified) on

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My Granddaughter loves the American Dolls and was diagnosed in June 2014 at the age of 6 with type 1 Diabetes. I would love for her to have a kit.

Submitted by naomi.kingery@… on

In reply to by Robin Thornton (not verified)

Robin, you seem like a very caring grandmother.:) It really is a great way for children with diabetes to explain to others what they have to do every day, using their doll as an example.

Submitted by Taylor (not verified) on

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I think that this is an awesome idea! This is so cool

Submitted by pamela cramer (not verified) on

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Would love to win this ! <3 My niece is 4 and recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, my sister is going to buy her this doll and to win the kit would be awesome !! She loves to help my sister test herself and a brave little girl !!

Submitted by Krista Nippard (not verified) on

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I think this is a fantastic idea to bring awareness to this disease at such a young age by making it fun. I was diagnosed at a young age 23 years ago and no doubt if there were fun and educational things available like this back then it would have been that much easier to understand.

My daughter is now 6 and asks a lot of questions about my diabetes and I educate her the best way I can in order for her to understand. She would be thrilled to have this for her doll!

Submitted by naomi.kingery@… on

In reply to by Krista Nippard (not verified)

We agree, Krista! This accessory is another important step in raising diabetes awareness. It’s even more wonderful it came after a powerful petition from a young girl with diabetes. I hope your daughter enjoys the new accessory for her doll!

Submitted by brittany golden (not verified) on

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This is awesome! My 11 year old had been diagnosed at age 5 with type 1 diabetes and autisim, and she LOVES anything and everything American girl!

Submitted by naomi.kingery@… on

In reply to by brittany golden (not verified)

We’re excited too, Brittany! I hope the accessory helps your daughter through diabetes, and make her feel like she is not alone. :)

This is a great accessory for the little girl with an American Girl Doll. My grand daughter is very interested in my pump and asks about it all the time. I hope she cna get one to add to her collection. I see this as a way to build bridges int he best way possible.

We love it too, Rick! It’s a great way to raise awareness, and help children with diabetes cope.

Submitted by Misty (not verified) on

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My daughter just got an american girl doll and since i am type 1 diabetic and she is always trying to take care of me i think she would love this kit

Submitted by naomi.kingery@… on

In reply to by Misty (not verified)

Misty, your daughter sounds like a very sweet girl. The new accessory is a great teaching tool for your daughter (or any child in your life) to learn about living with diabetes.

Submitted by Cathy Simmerman (not verified) on

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My daughter is a type 1 diabetic who thought it was very cool that American Girl came out with this accessory. She has 2 American Girl dolls from when she was younger (she is 18 now). However, she always looks for a way to bring awareness about type 1 diabetes as well as to show off her own pump (senior pics) because , in her words, "it's who I am and ist is part of me." She would love to have this accessory!!

Submitted by Haley (not verified) on

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This is honestly amazing! I am 16 and have had T1D for 15 years and when I was around 10 I had a just like me American girl. She had my hair, complexion, freckles.. Everything except the one thing that made me who I am: my diabetes; my insulin pump, all of it. The fact that some little kid can actually have that brings so much joy to me I cannot even begin to describe it by saying anything other than amazing.

Submitted by Lisa Fahy (not verified) on

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I'd love this for my beautiful daughter Holly.
Holly has t1 diabetes since age 5,she is 9 now and a very brave and wonderful kid.
People always say she is wise beyond her years but that's because she has had to be.
She still loves playing with her dolls and would love this for her favourite A G doll.

Submitted by Dana Tillack (not verified) on

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Love this idea. I have been a t1d for 29 years. Wish they had these when I was young.

Submitted by Kristin J (not verified) on

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This is a great idea! Being a TID for over 33 years. My girls (ages 9 and 4) are just starting to understand my diabetes. They would love one of these accessory kits for their dolls and to help explain what their mom handles to their friends on a daily basis.

Submitted by Kathy austin (not verified) on

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Would love a boy version for my son

Submitted by Denise Corcoran (not verified) on

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My daughter is a type 1 diabetic. As a PA and a Mom of 3 she is always advocating for awareness and understanding. What a great way to share the daily struggles of a diabetic.

Have nephew Jarrod Feucht who has a 7 year old daughter that he splits custody with and it would be an awesome way for her to learn and understand her dad's Type I diabetes. I would love to win and be able to get it to them!!

Nephew with 7 yr old daughter who he splits custody with and it would be so awesome for her to learn more about her dad's Type I diabetes --- I would love to be able to give it to them!!

Submitted by Julie (not verified) on

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I think this is so neat, my fiancé is type one, when I saw this online I knew I would be buying it for my girls on our next trip to the mall of America (next month). Even though my girls are not diabetic, I will still be getting them this as its a great way to teach them more about it, and my fiancé is, they are use to seeing him do the shots.

Submitted by Shawn (not verified) on

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I took my granddaughter to Chicago for a surprise trip to the American Girl store a few months after her diagnosis. She asked then if they had diabetes supplies for her new doll. She was so excited when she heard that AG now has diabetes accessories.

Submitted by mary moss (not verified) on

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As a new user of a medtronic insulin pump...my young daughters have been very interested and helping me get used to my new normal...this would be such a great thing for my American Girls loving daughters to have in their collection. Thank you Medtronic!

Submitted by Tamara Wilden (not verified) on

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This is a wonderful addition to The American Girl Collection! I am grateful that it can be used as a teaching tool for students in my classroom! Way to go!

Submitted by Vincent Myers (not verified) on

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Love the fact that society is catching up with teaching diversity and acceptance. As a professional with T1D, we try to teach this every day. My daughter has a friend (5 y.o.) who is T1D and between the friend and my own T1D, I love the fact that my daughter is learning acceptance at a young age. To see this huge step is another way to demonstrate this same acceptance and understanding.

Submitted by Holli Browder (not verified) on

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Thank you American Girl!!! My daughter and son have a hard time explaining to their friends about mommy being sick and the tubes and machine that she wears. They were over the moon excited when they learned that you would have this new item for their dolls. They both can't wait to get these for their dolls so they can have one just like mommy. We also have a friend who's daughter wears an insulin pump and she can't wait to get one of these for her dolls so they can truly be just alike. We love American Girl and now love you even more. Thank you so much!!!

Submitted by Shelley (not verified) on

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Beautiful idea. I love that our kids can change the world. My 13 year old has an American doll and just loves her. She has been T1D for 10 years. Thank you for developing this necessary accessory for girls who live with Diabetes. It is so important for them. This makes me smile inside.

Submitted by Kerri (not verified) on

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I think this is amazing for American Girl to have a pump and testing supplies for all girls who either live with diabetes themselves or has a family member or friend that lives with this disease. I have a 4 and 6 year old girls and would love to get this for them. They see me (mom) live with this disease every day. They know all my supplies and can easily get me something if I need it. I hope they never have to use a real one in the future but think it is so important for them to understand it especially with them having a grandmother, mom, two aunts and an uncle with type 1 diabetes. Four out of five of us use the pump. Such a great idea! Just wish I had it when I was growing up.

Submitted by Jill Guadagna (not verified) on

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I would love to win this doll for myself and my daughter.! I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 17 years ago. My daughter would love to have this doll too. It's unlike any of her other dolls as it's just like her Mommy. She has no other American girl dolls and yet if she had to chose one for herself I bet she would choose this one because diabetes affects her also because she sees everything I have to endure and go through with diabetes on a daily basis. Than you for this opportunity!!!

Submitted by Karen Mueller (not verified) on

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This is wonderful! I got diabetes when I was nine and always wanted a doll just like me. My kids are very interested in my pump, now they can have one for their dolls!

Submitted by April Petri (not verified) on

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This is so cool! Thank you to American Girl for stepping up. My daughter would love this for her American Doll- We've been diagnosed with Type 1 since 2012.

Submitted by Kellie Snaadt (not verified) on

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Yeah! So happy to be able to get this for my daughter. Thank you American Girl. My daughter has been part of fundraising for Diabetes camp through an American Girl Fashion show for many years. This is perfect!

Submitted by Aida Roberts (not verified) on

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Awww, I would had like that this were out when I was young...Love them!

Submitted by Holly Noel Garrigus (not verified) on

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That is absolutely amazing!! My daughter loves American Girl and is delighted that they can now sport an insulin pump just like her mom (me) does! We can rock these pumps well together!!

Submitted by Aryn Lloyd (not verified) on

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I live with T1D and now have two daughters, 6 and almost 3. I hope to get this kit for my girls so they can feel more like mom. I see it as a great learning experience for them!

Submitted by Jeff (not verified) on

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I'm sitting here with my daughter Emma who's older brother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 3.5 years old. She said she would love to surprise him with the diabetes accessory for her American Girl doll. Thanks for considering. Love this!! Great job American Girl Doll!!

Submitted by LOOP Blog Editorial on

In reply to by Jeff (not verified)

Hi Jeff, you were selected as a winner! Please check your email, and congratulations to you and Emma.

Submitted by DJ (not verified) on

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Beautiful! Our four year old daughter has been pumping since she was 1 years old. She loves her medical doll equipment and I am impressed this kit is now available!

Submitted by Jennifer Mille… (not verified) on

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My 9 year old daughter is not diabetic, but I am, and have been for 42 years, since the age of 18 months. She is aware that I need an insulin pump, as well as all the other tools I require to lead the most normal life possible. She was intrigued by the diabetes kit that she could get for her American Girl, and I think she could learn what I go through daily, as well as compassion for people who need to do a few extra steps to survive.

Submitted by Judy (not verified) on

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My doll want one too!! Can be just like me☺️

Submitted by Diane (not verified) on

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My daughter Amanda is only 4 years old she would love this for her doll. She was diagnosed with type 1 November 18 2014. It's been a hard year but also a great one. She is so good about taking shots and checking her sugar. I am so proud of her. This was the best idea they could have come up with for type 1.

Submitted by Kimberly Hardison (not verified) on

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My daughter has actually emailed mattel asking them to make a diabetic barbie fmsince she was diagnosed abiut 4 yrs ago. She even started up a fundraiser to raise money for the JDRF for research & a cure some day. She has always been an inspiration to me and always will. Would love to surprise her with a diabetic kit for her doll ♡♡♡♡♡

Submitted by Beth (not verified) on

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I'd love to win this for my 4yo daughter. While she does not have diabetes, I do and she's starting to ask questions about why mommy is different than other people because I have to "make blood on my fingers" and stick needles in my belly or keep my pump attached (currently on a pump vacation). I caught her giving her dolls shots with ink pens to make them like momma. I hope I can win an AG kit for her, as do her dolls. They are too you for all of the tattoos. ;)

Submitted by Jessica P (not verified) on

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My daughter is 10 and loves medical play. This would be great for her and also a good tool to teach her younger sister about diabetes. Great post and giveaway!!

Submitted by Sammy Seal (not verified) on

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I am so happy American Girl made this kit! My daughter has made her own out of card stock and markers. It will be so much fun to give her this one!

Submitted by Shannon Massi Yuri (not verified) on

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I love that AG has come out with accessories in support of us with diabetes. Type 1 diabetic since age 6 & I would have loved this for my dolls. I would love to win this for my daughter. It is funny to watch my three (at different times), play like they have an insulin pump like mommy. My daughters doll could be like me & bring more awareness to diabetes & explanation of what each device does to help us live out our lives healthfully.

Submitted by Heather Schwegmann (not verified) on

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I am a T1D since 1 year old I'm now 63. I have a T1D granddaughter who is 9 years old. She was diagnosed at age 2. She would love something like the kit but we live in South Africa and don't even have American Girl dolls here. Maybe they will one day be available for other dolls. Its a brilliant idea

Submitted by Tracy Jones (not verified) on

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This is fabulous for girls to share this part of their lives with their dolls and to know they are not alone in needing to control their blood sugars. I wish this had been around when I was young - but now, even in my 50's, my girls can be just like their "mama" who wears a pump, checks blood sugars often, and never goes anywhere without the medical bracelet. What a wonderful accessory! Thanks to Medtronic and American Girl for helping everyone know diabetes doesn't have to be kept secret or feared!

Submitted by Julie (not verified) on

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I LOVE this. I also had Addy as a kid (and then a Today doll, and then Kit. I was a major doll girl and still am at heart) and having an insulin pump for her would have been so great! I love that American Girl is such a great company and that they do so much to encourage and uplift young girls.


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