Bald Barbie Not Just for Girls with Cancers

I have seen this debate all around facebook. As someone who is bald from chemo- I don't get it. You can just shave the regular barbie's head- which is more realistic to what happens- hey maybe they can do it at the same time so it isn't so scary. Now what would be cool is if it the hair eventually grows back. Now that would inspire hope.

All proceeds minus production and distribution costs should go to cancer research and charities.

One of the women who started this movement has been a friend of mine since she was pregnant with her daughter, who is battling leukemia, and I was pregnant with my son. We met over 12 years ago online. Back then, this is not something she'd have ever thought would be a part of her world. When I heard Kinley was sick, I cried. I cried because I knew it was going to be a very hard and long battle, that she might NOT win. I cried because I knew it was going to change them forever. Two years ago, my son's step-brother (who I've know since he was born), was diagnosed with the exact same illness that Kinley has. He died. He was only 13. Just a month shy of his 14th birthday. Another friend of mine of 6 years had a daughter, who was 14, become ill with the same illness that Kinley and Clayton had. Two months after she was diagnosed, she died as well. She had just turned 15. So, two out of three children that I knew on a personal level, have died. If that isn't enough to open eyes that are shut to the issue, I don't know what is. My kids are about the age these children were when they become ill. It scares the hell out of me, to be honest. But you know what? If I could bring a smile to my daughter face by buying her a doll that makes HER feel better about the rough world she's going through while sick? I'd buy it! I don't care how many think that it's about exploiting a childhood illness, or making a toy company richer, or whatever silly conspiracy crap people can think up to piddle all over a thought that KIDS with the illness have asked for (and their Mom's took up the task to help their kids realize this goal). You all, who bash this, make sick jokes, and so forth - you have to stop for a moment and think to yourself - if you're child said that a warm blanket and a teddy bear makes them feel better when they feel sick, you'd get it for them because you want nothing more in the world than for your child to feel good. If your sick child is bald from cancer medications, and asks for a doll to represent himself or herself - you'd find a way to make it happen. Rather you like the idea of chemo or not MOST people end up doing it if they think it will keep their baby around for a little longer on this planet....and you have no room to throw stones at those who TRY to save their loved ones, even if it seems barbaric to you. Bottom line is, I'd love to know why so many want to hate on these women who are trying to do something harmless for their children? No one is forcing you to buy the doll for yourself. No one is forcing you to buy one for your child. It's two women exercising their freedom and love of their children. Why can't we, as a mature society, support or respect their feelings on this and find some compassion??? Are we really just that dang shallow and uncaring anymore? And WHO, in their right mind, cracks jokes about sick kids??? Geez.

This is wonderful! I hope that Matel will donate some of the proceeds to children and little girls going through cancer treatments to help with the cost.

Have a Barbie with 3 wigs, 1 for each stage of your hair growing back. wonderful idea, and sent at least 90% of proceeds to cancer research

I think it'd be amazing to create such a barbie. Donate some of the proceed and it also let's little girls know they're strong and beautiful! and that they're are millions of people who shower her with support during her fight.

Ridiculous. But before you go "boo!", think about this for a second. This isn't going to work as planned.

I know the point to some might be that it would be advertised and seen by everyone, thinking people will say the doll's beautiful and this is a good self-esteem scenario. But, that's only going to play where adults are concerned. It should only take a few seconds to realize that children are different. Kids who don't have cancer are going to make fun of the ads and the dolls and that's going to have the exact opposite result. Kids with cancer won't want them if other kids think they're funny. That's going to be worse than not having a bald Barbie at all.

Ultimately, I don't think Mattel will risk the loss in marketing costs.

AMEN! My granddaughter has leukemia...I would buy at LEAST 2 dolls; one for her and one for her sister.

Can we do comb over Ken?

I think this is a great idea...finally something positive on the news!

It's a sentimental idea, and should include a few
wigs to choose from; a considerable amount of
cancer patients do this as well.

no company would ever do 75% or more proceeds even if it was cancer, sorry to say that but sorta true. unless of course it is an all out non-for-profit company. honestly everyone would be better off donating to cancer research instead of buying a DOLL! its a good collector item, which is sick because some doll collectors out there are fuming because one little girl out there has this one time doll. honestly people, donate your effort and money to something better in life; like finding a cure out there. Stop worrying about a doll. When i was a little girl i didnt care what barbie looked like, all i did was play with her. thats it! and how about this... how about asking the children for once instead of thinking what would be good for them to have as a toy? Isnt that something that we always do, What would you like [name]? How many of us would hear bald barbie? maybe 8%.. idk. I understand a lot of people think this is a good idea, but really? i think it would be a slap in the face to many would have lost there hair due to treatments, and thats unfair.

Aww. This is so sweet!

LIV dolls are bold and beautiful ' they have wigs and can exchange it . If Mattel doesn't want to do it, get a liv doll,!!

Coming from a Mom who is sitting in the children's hospital while my 18-month old is getting chemo right now, I would love to see this doll!!

If Barbie can be anything, why not a cancer patient?

As one has been dealing with hair loss due to severe chronic pain and medications, I'm glad to see an open dialogue about this topic.

I think this is great especially for little girls experiencing their own hair loss. Wigs/scarves/hats would be a good idea, since Barbie is known for her accessories, and little girls with hair loss probably have a few of these kinds of accessories for themselves. It would be great if Mattel would donate part of the proceeds to cancer research, but with them being a corporation, they might be greedy enough to keep all profits disappointingly. Great idea!

narcissism knows no bounds. no it's not awesome or cool i've had good friends die of cancer my own father and not any of these people wanted to change the paradigm. they wanted to accept their fate among family and move on. this is the same ridiculous 'give me give me give me' selfishness that is driving the western world to the brink while it's being overrun by the big 3 (india china and islam).
yeah sure i know the comment will get 10 thumbs down and whatever comes next, but you all we have to begin to think out of the box here. we're becoming far too conscious of the minority and of the individual and have just or continue to lose our way....something like capitol hill and the present 'crop in camelot'...

someone wrote this is good news...let me remind you good news is cancer is rendered as a disease of the past. that's good news.....

oh wait i've just thought lesbian mother barbie coming with her partner and their son....or barbie as a somalian pirate because they are suffering also, or earthquake victim barbie.....and like i opined earlier elsewhere....

finally i have a cleft lip....where's my cleft lip ken

I love this. Also for the children who suffer from Alopecia and will possibly NEVER have hair. I can't imagine what they go through at such a young age.