Latina Diabetes Advocate Robin Arzón and Barbie Bring Attention to Type 1 Diabetes

By Gloria Romano-Barrera

When Ruth Handler created Barbie in 1959, she envisioned a doll that would empower girls to imagine themselves in limitless roles. Decades later, Barbie is still evolving—and this time, she’s doing so with a message of inclusion, empathy, and representation that hits close to home for millions.

This month, Mattel announced a new milestone in Barbie’s ever-expanding universe: the debut of the first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The addition marks a powerful moment in the toy industry and a heartening development for the T1D community—particularly for the children navigating the condition every day.

“Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,” shares 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.”

As part of its latest campaign, Mattel created one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls in the likeness of Latina and advocate for diabetes, Robin Arzón, Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton, and bestselling author. The Latina of Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 32. Known for her high-energy classes and empowering messages, Arzón has become a beacon of resilience in the fitness world—and now, in the toy aisle. The dolls were revealed in tandem with the launch of Barbie’s first mass-produced doll with T1D, a move that signals a cultural shift toward normalizing medical diversity and celebrating strength in difference.\

“After being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a decade ago, I’ve found a lot of purpose in advocating for people with the condition and educating others about it because knowledge is power—especially for young minds,” says Arzón. “It’s an absolute honor to receive a Barbie doll as part of the brand’s efforts to grow awareness and representation… 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.”

In 2022, Hispanic adults were 60 percent more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician. The CDC reports that more than 283,000 children and teenagers in the U.S. have a diagnosed case of diabetes. Of these, around 244,000 individuals have Type 1 diabetes. Although both genders are impacted, research indicates that girls may face more intricate psychological and social difficulties in living with the disease—this is especially true for Latina girls. Compared to non-Hispanic white children, the likelihood of a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis in Latino children is 1.5 times greater. The challenge is exacerbated by cultural stigma, language barriers, and limited access to healthcare, rendering visible representation—such as this Barbie doll—more significant than it has ever been.

Arzón’s doll wears a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) and an insulin pump—just like she does when leading a class or crossing marathon finish lines. The visibility of these devices, long underrepresented in mainstream media and pop culture, is no small detail—it’s a lifeline for kids who don’t often see their realities reflected in the toys they love.

Mattel’s partnership with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) ensured medical accuracy and respectful representation. The collaboration resulted in a doll that not only wears diabetes tech—but wears it proudly, stylishly, and without apology.