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 Amaya K (not verified) on

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Even though we have a 9 year old son, he would love to have this! I showed him and he wants it bad! He says he wants to show his friends this! Went to the American Girl Store at Mall of America and couldn't find it. Like myself , my son is passionate like me to find a cure!

Submitted by Amber (not verified) on

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My niece is crazy about America Girl dolls! Her mom and uncle have type 1 diabetes, so she is very familiar with a pump and how much her momma has to work to keep her blood sugars under control. She would be thrilled to have this so her dolls could be just like her momma!

Submitted by Melissa Roberson (not verified) on

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Love to win one for my 5yr old type 1. She was dx 11-15-15 and got her first American Girl doll this Christmas.

Submitted by LOOP Blog Editorial on

In reply to by Melissa Roberson (not verified)

Melissa, thanks for commenting! We would love to send you and your daughter a diabetes accessory kit for her new doll. Congratulations, please check your email for next steps.

Submitted by Amanda Wood (not verified) on

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I would love to win one of these for my daughter. I have had Diabetes for the past 24 years and have had a Minimed Pump for the majority of that time. My daughter is 8 now and has become very interested in learning more about my diabetes and my insulin pump. She would love one of these for her AG doll and hopefully could learn more about this. This is so awesome that this has become available.

Submitted by Breyn Puckett (not verified) on

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My 10 year old daughter was diagnosed on her 7th birthday. She loves American Girl, so I'm thrilled to see they have accessories that specifically relate to her medical issues! Love how it came about and the company listening to a little girl's request.

Submitted by Heather (not verified) on

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My daughter would love this! She is T1D and was diagnosed August 2014. Good job American Girl! Good job Anja Busse!

Submitted by Misti (not verified) on

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This is wonderful! My daughter is 23 and has been a diabetic for 22 years. This would be great to help teach her 3 year old daughter how to help take care of her momma. We have been trying to teach her how to help when mommy's blood sugar is low. It would be amazing to have this as a learning tool for her! Great idea! God bless

Submitted by Sarah (not verified) on

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My husband is type 1 and my kids call his pump his 'owie'. I think it would be really neat if my daughter could have this kit for her doll. She is one of the most tender hearted kids and this would be a great way to connect with her daddy on a new level. Way to go American Girl!

Submitted by Meredith Hanna (not verified) on

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This is fabulous! I'm a Type 1 diabetic Mom with a toddler, and I think this will be an awesome tool to help me explain life with diabetes (and an insulin pump) in a great, positive way! Bravo to Anja and American Girl for the education and advocacy efforts!

Submitted by Melissa (not verified) on

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Hello. This kit is amazing!! I was diagnosed as a t1 diabetic at age 14. I am now 27 and have 2 children. My daughter, who has an American Girl doll is always so curious about Mommy's medicines and I would love for her to have this kit for her doll!!

Submitted by Veronica (not verified) on

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I think this is so awesome! I can't wait to get one for my kids. I think my 2 year old would love having a doll with a pump like his and his big sister would love it too.

Submitted by Meagan McMahan (not verified) on

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I'd love one for my daughter Taelyn who was diagnosed at just 13months old in 2012. She is 5 years old now and is having a hard time with this as she is asking more questions to why she has to get insulin. She has just shown interest to American girl dolls and would love this kit. Due to her illness I've had to stay at home with her in order to care for her illness. Money is tight, but I'm saving up for a doll for her, she'd love this kit so much as we just started the process for a pump for Taelyn. I think this would help her and make her feel special to care for a doll just like her.

Submitted by Rosa Collins (not verified) on

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This Dollie awesome! My daughter is 8 and is insulin dependent due to total pancreatectomy in November 2015. This is all new for us and she would love to be a mommy to this doll. She has a Medtronic pump and we love it!

Submitted by Rosa Collins (not verified) on

In reply to by Rosa Collins (not verified)

She just got her first American girl dolls for Christmas. Grace and Isabella :))

Submitted by LOOP Blog Editorial on

In reply to by Rosa Collins (not verified)

Rosa, I'm sorry to hear about your daughters pancreatectomy but I'm happy to hear she is doing well on the pump. If you ever need anything we're always here for you.

Submitted by Ashley (not verified) on

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I love, LOVE this product offering. I have had type 1 for almost 20 years now. I don't have kids but I have a 2.5 year old niece. She has really started noticing my insulin pump and always asks about it. She even notices when it changes sides on my belt. Her mommy had gestational diabetes with her recently born little sister and she knew when mommy was checking her blood sugar. This kit would be perfect for her to have with a doll. She loves doing things like adults do, especially with baby dolls, and this is right up her ally. Kudos to the little girl that took a stand and kudos to AG for listening and implementing.

Submitted by Cindy A (not verified) on

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I am a type one diabetic, and my girls 9 and 12 both love their American Girl dolls. They'd love to have a way to explain my pump and how I care for myself to their friends. Thanks for offering this opportunity to win one.

Submitted by Stephanie (not verified) on

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My daughter would LOVE this! She was diagnosed at 17 months old and is now 3 1/2 years old!

Submitted by Janet Conley (not verified) on

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My granddaughter would love this. She will be 4 in May and was diagnosed with Type 1 at 17 months. I retired back then and care for her everyday. She wanted to do set changes on her dolls too so I made her a make believe kit. This is way better and is an excellent education tool! LOVE IT!

Submitted by Marjorie cooney (not verified) on

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This is a wonderful product. Hope to get for my 9 year old for her doll someday soon!

Submitted by Jessica P (not verified) on

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My daughter would love this, we have friends with diabetes.

Submitted by Katie (not verified) on

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This is absolutely amazing!

Submitted by melinda (not verified) on

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My little type 1 would love one of these..

Submitted by Laurie Burton (not verified) on

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My daughter is super excited for this. Has been wanting this ever since she got an American girl doll

Submitted by Kristen Wigley (not verified) on

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I would love one for my daughter. She loves helping me change my insulin pump.

Submitted by Elizabeth Nitz (not verified) on

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Thank You Pleasant Company!!! Empowering girls with Type 1 Diabetes is so cool! Thank you for making products so that my daughter's doll not only looks like her, but also lives with T1D just like her, too! What a gift to our daughters!

Submitted by Erica Surman (not verified) on

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I love the idea! My 6 year old wants one knowing her 15 year old brother, cousin and aunt all have type 1 diabetes.

Submitted by Michele (not verified) on

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My daughter is the only diabetic child at her school. She would love this kit so she could have diabetic friend in her doll. I think it is absolutely wonderful that this is available for our D girls.

Submitted by Jeannette D (not verified) on

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My 7 yr old son has type 1 diabetes but his sister would cherish the American Girl Doll Diabetes care kit. She often feels left out of her brothers care. I think this would help her feel like she was part of his treatment.
My son has his beloved Rufus from JDRF when he was diagnosed. He has taped an pump and CGM sensor to his bear so that he has someone else like him in his life. I think he would love to use the American Girl Doll diabetes kit for Rufus.

Submitted by Tracy (not verified) on

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Simply amazing!

Submitted by Tabitha (not verified) on

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I would LOVE to win this for my 9-year-old daughter! She is the sweetest girl, and is so caring of me! She always says "sorry" when I wince or my set is bad, or my blood sugar is off. I truly believe she would treasure this!

Submitted by Malia Jarrett (not verified) on

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My daughter is so excited about the diabetes care kit! She can't wait to get one. She knew there was a hearing aid and already has the first aid kit with crutches. She is interested in science and the medical field already. She would like to either be a teacher or a diabetes doctor. She was diagnosed 3 years ago and has been a Rock Star ever since!! Counts her carbs, calculates her correction and administers her injections. I am so proud of her! Would love for her to win the kit. How cool would that be?!

Submitted by Sara (not verified) on

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Love that they have finally done this. I know too many kids affected by this awful disease, including my daughter. What a great way to educate others...through play!

Submitted by Denae Pickard (not verified) on

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My sister has had type 1 diabetes for 13 years and my younger brother was diagnosed in November of 2014. My niece, who is 4, has grown up seeing her mom use her insulin pump and her uncle injecting himself with insulin before eating meals. She asks if they need to check their sugar and even wants to help! This would be so neat for my niece to play with and to help her learn more about diabetes.

Submitted by Vicky li (not verified) on

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Awesome, my 7 yes old would love a kit!

Submitted by Kristina (not verified) on

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This is truly an awesome idea. As so many have already said. I know my daughter who has had diabetes for a little over a year and a half would love to have this. She has an American doll. I can see her playing with this none stop! As well as her sister!

Submitted by Lisa O'Brien (not verified) on

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My daughter has type 1, loves American Girl and is so very excited about this addition to their line! She had previously used some of her discarded pump tubing and a pedometer to make a pump of sorts for one of her dolls. She was thrilled to learn that a 'real' set was now available! I'd love for her to win this.

Submitted by Beth C (not verified) on

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My Type 1 would love this kit! My younger daughter would use it too, she loves her sister so much!! Diagnosed 4 years ago an AG Doll was her trusty companion through those beginning days.

Submitted by Kristi cox (not verified) on

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I have 2 sons and 2 daughters. My oldest son has diabetes, but my girls love AG! The disease truly affects the whole family. So glad AG is offering this as an accessory- diabetes is a part of many families.

Submitted by Rebecca Shanton (not verified) on

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I am so excited that this is finally a reality! I would love for my 4 year old daughter to have this kit so her doll and finally be JUST LIKE HER!

Submitted by Megan Sandoval (not verified) on

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My 4 year old daughter has a friend who has a wheelchair. One Christmas she asked for a doll wheelchair for her doll so she could be like her friend. Now that there's a diabetic kit, her doll can be like her. She can help her doll check her BG and make good snack choices while she herself learns. It's a good way to she hiw she's progressing with the understanding of her own diabetes.

Submitted by Kathy (not verified) on

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Love this! It is so important to bring awareness to young people. I would love to have one to add to my collection of American Girl!

Submitted by Mary McCarthy (not verified) on

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My daughter is 19 and was diagnosed at age 6. She LOVED her American Girl dolls.....especially her look alike doll. Her dolls, furniture, and accessories are all packed away for her daughters to use one day, so I just purchased the diabetes care kit. I can't wait to show it to her when she comes home from college!

Submitted by Jennifer Skerrett (not verified) on

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My daughter would love one of these for her American Girl doll.

Submitted by Mary (not verified) on

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My daughter was diagnosed at age 9 and has been waiting for American Girl doll to add this to their collection! She will love having this! It will also be a great tool when she wants to share with others about diabetes; the pump and sites etc!

Submitted by heidi bowen (not verified) on

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I would love to win one of these! My five year old celebrates her one year "diaversary" on 5/5/16. I just celebrated my 21 year "diaversary". She has an American Girl doll her grandmother gave her. We also have a bitty baby. The ability for her dolly to be brave like her would make life easier. Also help her show her friends at school what diabetes is like.

Submitted by LOOP Blog Editorial on

In reply to by heidi bowen (not verified)

Hi Heidi, you are the third and final winner on this blog post! We would love to send your daughter a kit for an early diaversary present. Please check your email for more information.

Submitted by Jeanna Wilkinson (not verified) on

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This is wonderful! My girls love AG and their Father has diabetes. This is a great way for them to learn more about the disease & not be afraid but be aware & understand better what he deals with daily. Maybe one of these little gals will find a cure someday. What a great learning tool & a comfort for a newly diagnosed child. Thankyou for doing this!

Submitted by Sammy Seal (not verified) on

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I would love to win one for my daughter to use along with the makeshift one she just made out of Lego.


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