Barbie Goes Bald
The iconic toy who has taken on many roles will be reaching a new demographic soon.
She's been known as the "doll who does anything," when it comes to the list of professions. Now Barbie will be taking on a new role: cancer survivor.
NPR reports that that Mattel will be producing a bald Barbie after Jane Bingham, a cancer survivor, started an online community called "Beautiful and Bald Barbie" that extends to more than 158,000 Facebook "likes."
The idea is that the doll will reduce the stigma on cancer survivors.
Because of Bingham's campaign, Mattel announced that they would make a select few of the dolls to go directly to young cancer patients in hospitals, NPR reports.
Jessie Gable
10:50 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I remember when they came out with a redheaded Barbie and I was THRILLED. I can't imagine how it would feel to these little girls. You can hate if you want, but I still think Barbies are great toys for little girls.
Ted Buckley
3:27 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
This is a GREAT idea, but you have to read the Mattel announcement closer. As you state in the article Mattel will make a "select few" and distribute directly. These will go to children in hospitals only. The children who go to the hospital only for treatment (chemo) will not be eligible! Mattel is planning to donate 10,000 to the kids. While this is a noble effort they are ignoring literally millions that want these dolls but cannot get them because Mattel is planning on NOT MAKING THEM AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. They are more interested in making a Barbie available in August that will be running for President. Please see the facebook page for Jane and 158,000 more of us so you can see more and hopefully write more of the whole truth. And by the way, Barbie is not taking on the role of cancer survivor, it will be a "friend of Barbie" that is bald. http://www.facebook.com/BeautifulandBaldBarbie
Jessie Gable
3:29 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I didn't get the Mattel announcement. This is an aggregated piece, so I'm stuck to rely on what NPR said. If you have a copy of the announcement, please forward it to me: jessie.gable@patch.com. I wrote that they were only making a select few, though.