Mom Crusades To Get Bald Cancer Barbie From Mattel

January 13, 2012 12:20 AM

Filed under

Consumer, Health, Local, News, Seen On TV, Syndicated Local, Watch + Listen

Featured Gallery

May Is Asthma Awareness Month: Celebrities With Asthma

For more trusted health

news and information,

visit CBS Los Angeles's

Photo Galleries

'Carmageddon II'

Car Snapped: Celebrities On The Go

CBSLA Hurricane Relief Telethon

Cute Dogs And Cars

LANCASTER (CBS) — A Lancaster mother is on a crusade to convince toy maker Mattel to create a cancer Barbie to honor sick children.

Beckie Sypin’s 12-year-old daughter Kinley Inich was diagnosed less than one year ago with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Within days of learning she had cancer, Kinley had lost more than 20 pounds.

“She was just so sick she couldn’t even stay awake,” says a tearful Sypin. “She couldn’t even have a conversation with you.”

To help Kinley and other children battling cancer, Sypin and a family friend reached out to Mattel, the maker of Barbie to request the company manufacture a bald version of the iconic doll.

Mattel has made a bald Barbie before, but has never mass produced one.

Sypin set up a Facebook page to garner support for a potential ‘Beautiful and Bald’ Barbie. The page received more than 83,000 likes in less than a month.

“We wrote Mattel a letter,” says Sypin. “And they came back saying they don’t accept unsolicited, outside suggestions.”

Kinley believes having her own bald Barbie would make her feel like less of a standout in public.

“It’s so important to me because I get to take her anywhere,” says Kinley. “And if there’s someone staring, I can be ‘look, there’s someone like me too.’”

Mom Crusades To Get Bald Cancer Barbie From Mattel

http://headlinenewsreport.org/healthnews/mom-crusades-to-get-bald-cancer-barbie-from-mattel-cbs-local.html Mom Crusades To Get Bald Cancer Barbie From Mattel – CBS Local | headlinenewsreport.org

[...] Mom Crusades To Get Bald Cancer Barbie From MattelCBS LocalLANCASTER (CBS) — A Lancaster mother is on a crusade to convince toy maker Mattel to create a cancer Barbie to honor sick children. Beckie Sypin's 12-year-old daughter Kinley Inich was diagnosed less than one year ago with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. …Bald and beautiful…Barbie?msnbc.comCould Cancer Cure Barbie? Mattel vs. Beautiful and Bald BarbieForbesYoung cancer survivors lobby Mattel for bald BarbieUSA TODAYCBS News -Washington Post -ABC Newsall 409 news articles » [...]
O_O

I voted and I guess I’m part of the 9% who thinks Mattel SHOULDN’T make a bald cancer-patient Barbie. I think it’s sort of ridiculous. Not to diminish the trial and pain of this mother and her daughter, but having a Barbie without hair is not going to make the experience any easier. If the little girl is looking for someone to relate to about her illness there are many support groups for cancer patients. The hospital could even direct them to other families to connect with and lean on. But producing a bald cancer Barbie? Bad idea. Frankly, that would be stupid.

Laura Violet

I do not think that is true.. Children and adults turn to items to give them comfort. The whole idea is to show the world that beauty is possible even with no hair.. Barbie has been overrated for years on her look. I think this doll would give a boost in confidence to girls and women who don fit the barbie mold.
Karen

They have all kinds of Barbies so why not one to which children with cancer can relate? I am not certain the numbers but 93% on this site think it’s a good idea and she had 83,000 likes on a website. It would cost less than the normal Barbie because it does not have hair. The mold is already made. There is some money in here but the bigger issue is the GOOD WILL.

Mattel did not send out good vibes with their letter.

I like Bratz dolls better anyway.
Pat

I agree that this doll should not be made. In our country, once someone opens a door, then everyone wants in. If they do a doll for cancer, sold in all stores, would other parents want dolls representing other illnesses for their children? I think the money should be spent instead to find cure, treatment, research and children should look forward to living back normal lives.

David V

This Barbie SHOULD be made. My heart goes out to the little girl as well as her family. Why not have a bald barbie? I’m a male that has no children but have neices and they LOVE Barbies. The reason that they love them so much because barbie has a look for everyone. From Texas Barbie to Mexican Barbies to even African Barbies. Don’t they have a pregnant Barbie too? So, why not have a bald Barbie in the mix? There is NO reason NOT to have a bald Barbie in The Barbie Collection.

Karen

Exactly David V and some women collect Barbies collectors editions. I interviewed at Mattel and had so much fun playing with the 1950s Barbie while waiting for the interviewer. She had all the accessories and a hat box too!

Really

I hope Mattel stands their ground. This is a ludicrous idea. If these people want a cancer Barbie, they can buy a regular Barbie and do whatever they want with it. They say that there are now 83,000 Likes on this Facebook page. It’s easy for these people to make suggestions and be in favor of something when it doesn’t cost them anything. They can request that Mattel make a product and if it tanks and doesn’t sell, they just say “Oh well, we THOUGHT it was a good idea.” How many of them would support this idea if they had to pre-order and pay for a cancer Barbie upfront? I even see a lot of comments saying that Mattel should donate a part of the proceeds to St. Jude. How generous of them to give away other people’s money. Let’s make an Acne Barbie for all the adolescents that want a doll that looks like them. Let’s make a Chemo-Me Elmo doll while we’re at it.

Laura Violet

Wow is all I can say from your post. I think you should revalute your standards a life.. This is hope.. I would pay for this doll and I do not even have cancer. It will show my daughter that beauty can be in any form.

Really

Ah, yes, the “you need to reevaluate your standards” argument. I find it funny that people who say this really mean they want to impose their opinions on other people. What if someone told you that you should allow a homeless person to live with you one day a month? This would help decrease the homeless population and give them “hope.” If you decline then your “standards” are criticized. It doesn’t matter the inconvenience or cost to you. Don’t you want to help out a good cause?

This mother has an idea that she feels would help her daughter. That’s fine but it doesn’t mean other people, even other girls with cancer, would feel the same way. Maybe other girls with cancer want to look normal, they don’t want to look different and don’t want to be reminded that they are different and draw more attention to themselves by carrying a bald doll. So what this mother is requesting is for Mattel to create a whole new “specialty” line with a very small market just because it works for her. If she really wanted this item, she should find someone to alter a regular Barbie for her rather than trying to push Mattel to create a new item. Why does it even have to be a Barbie? I’m sure there are specialty doll makers that can make a doll that looks anyway you want.

fjk45

@Really

+1

Karen

What a great idea that this mother has. I think that children often identify themselves with the toys they play with, and this could be a great thing for children with cancer. It’ll be interesting to see what Matel decides to do. For anyone out there interested in more about how to help children cope with cancer in the family, you might visit the following link for some valuable advice: http://onlineceucredit.com/edu/cancer-ccc
Paula Saraiva Fournier

In support of the Bald & Beautiful Barbie movement please sign this petition asking Mattel to produce Bald & Beautiful Barbie. Please sign and share. Your support is extremely appreciated! YOU CAN COPY THIS URL onto your Facebook Page to SHARE.

https://www.change.org/petitions/research-and-development-begin-production-on-beautiful-bald-barbie-doll
Joanne

I think it is a great ideal, I work at CHLA and took care of Kinley when she was here. A very sweet girl to my heart. <3
http://propertycloud.co.za/2012/01/mom-crusades-to-get-bald-cancer-barbie-from-mattel/ Mom Crusades To Get Bald Cancer Barbie From Mattel – Property Cloud

[...] Read the full story and more. [...]