Business

Bald Barbie? Group Lobbies Toy Company for Doll to Help Kids Cope With Cancer

Bald Barbie? Group Lobbies Toy Company for Doll to Help Kids Cope With Cancer

A Facebook campaign is underway to persuade Barbie toy maker Mattel to make a "Beautiful and Bald Barbie." (Image source: Facebook)

NEW YORK (The Blaze/AP) — Barbie has been an astronaut, an architect, a NASCAR driver, and a news anchor.

Now, there’s an online movement to get her to attempt what could be her biggest feat yet: going bald to fight cancer.

A Facebook page titled “Beautiful and Bald Barbie! Let’s see if we can get it made” was started a few days before Christmas. By Wednesday evening, the page had more than 20,000 fans. The goal is to get toy maker Mattel Inc. to create a bald Barbie in support of children with cancer.

Friends Rebecca Sypin and Jane Bingham, who live on opposite coasts but have both been affected by the disease, hatched the idea to use Barbie for the movement because she‘s such a popular children’s toy.

Bingham has lost her hair due to chemotherapy treatments to treat lymphoma. Sypin’s 12-year-old daughter, Kin Inich, also lost her hair this year in her own battle with leukemia.

Mattel didn’t return calls on Wednesday seeking comment, but the women said they have contacted the company through some general form letters. In return, they said, they‘ve received form letters that say Mattel doesn’t accept ideas from outside sources.

Last year, Mattel created a one-of-a-kind bald Barbie for a 4-year-old girl undergoing cancer treatment, New York CBS affiliate WCBS-TV reported.

The women say making a bald Barbie available for everyone would provide a huge platform to raise awareness for children with cancer.

Bald Barbie? Group Lobbies Toy Company for Doll to Help Kids Cope With Cancer

Advocates say simply cutting or shaving the hair off an existing Barbie isn't acceptable — doing so results in patchy, unsightly clumps. (Image source: Facebook)

Barbie, all 11.5 inches of her, is one of the best-known toys of all time. She can sell for $10 at Wal-Mart or $7,000 on eBay.

Barbie also has taken on all sorts of incarnations throughout her nearly 53 years of existence, crushing stereotypes and showing little girls that they can be whatever they want to be. There’s been an elegant Grace Kelly Barbie; a Barbie in thigh-high pink boots; a tattooed Barbie; a pregnant Barbie friend, and another Barbie friend in a wheelchair.

But Barbie has also been dissed for not being as socially responsible as she could be. She’s best known for her curves, which long have sparked complaints by women’s groups that say she imposes an unachievable physical standard on young girls. She also was lambasted when a talking version uttered an exclamation about math class being hard.

The friends who started the “Beautiful and Bald Barbie” movement aren’t natural activists. Sypin, 32, is a special-education teacher’s aide in Lancaster, Calif. Bingham, 41, is a photographer in Sewell, N.J.

“We’re not demanding that the company do anything,” Sypin said Wednesday. “We’re just hoping somebody sees this and can help us make it happen.”

Overall, Sypin said she’s been pleased with the response to the Facebook page. For instance, one fan of the page wrote of Mattel: “If they are making dolls that are inspiring young girls with careers then why not make a doll that would inspire young girls who are dealing with Cancer.”

Some commenters even suggested the friends extend the movement to include a boys’ toy. So, over the weekend, the women started an accompanying Facebook page, “Bald G.I. Joe Movement.”

Hasbro Inc., the maker of G.I. Joe, didn’t immediately return a call for comment.

The movement has its critics, too.

Some people have told the women to just take a normal Barbie and shave her hair off to make the same point. Bingham posted photos where she did just that – resulting in patchy, unattractive clumps on Barbie’s head. She also posted digitally doctored pictures of a bald Barbie to show how beautiful the doll could be.

And to people who say that it makes more sense to just donate to cancer research rather than to buy a bald Barbie?

“A lot of these people wouldn’t have even thought about doing that without this movement,” Bingham said.

Comments (84)

1 2
  • Chris
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:27pm

    How about a “Jihad Ken” doll? They wouldn’t even have to assemble the suicide bomber version – they could just throw a bunch of Ken parts in the box and let the kids scatter them around when they played with them. After that could be the “72 virgin accessory kit” – Now with extra sheep!

    Report Post »  
    • LeadNotFollow
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 12:55am

      CHRIS…
      Your Ken Doll comment was pretty funny. Thanks for the good laugh.

      Report Post »  
    • marion
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:34am

      Yeah, that was definitely a good laught, thanks.

      On a more serious note now, hey, life can be a little tough, but this isn’t going to do anything but increase the dall wig market. There is so much emphasis given to “help everyone” cope with everything that is is nauseating. Things are made so soft for everyone that they don’t even know how to use a swing without being pushed, but they can tell you that throwing a snotrag into the garbage instead of the recycle bin will warm the planet.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 7:07am

      I had a raggedy ann doll when I was about 4. It was homemade by my baby sitter, who made one for all the girls. I forget what she got the boys. When I got glasses at 5, my brother and I drew glasses on my Raggedy Ann with a permanent marker. Having dolls that look like the children who play with them is a good idea. I think had I gotten cancer as a child, I probably would have just cut all the hair off my doll. Don’t they already have one that you can cut and it comes back? That would be ideal. What about when the child’s hair grows back? They will want their doll to triumph, too.

      Report Post »  
    • Sagacious
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:20pm

      LOL.that is funny!!

      Report Post » Sagacious  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 3:08pm

      What’s next a barbie with one breast because she had breast cancer?

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 3:14pm

      Maybe a Barbie with one eye whose back story was that she had lawn dart accident. Or a barbie in a halo device that was driving and texting. Or one that missing a foot because she ate too much sugar got diabetes and had to have her foot removed. Or how about a barbie that really thin with scabs on her that got HIV from unprotected sex or sharing needles. Maybe a muslim barbie that was the victim of an acid attack because she tried to go to school or refuse to marry some radical islamist….the list goes on and on

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 3:18pm

      One more a barbie that comes with a fannel shirt,work boots and fake beard who went to one to many indigo girl concerts……LOL

      Report Post »  
    • 2theADDLED
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 6:48pm

      I’m still waiting for my obese Skank Barbie and the trailer trash Barbie !

      Report Post »  
    • 2theADDLED
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:03pm

      Where’s the boob job, plastic surgery and Botox Barbie AKA Nancy.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:27pm

    .
    Looks like my lil’ sisters Barbie after my G.I. Joe set her hair on fire…….

    She has never forgiven me LOL……..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • tbone0106
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:42pm

    Darmok, yes!!! Exactly what I thought when I first saw the picture! But on further reflection, the doll smiles perpetually, and Sinead does not… ever. (She’s much too serious.) Also, Sinead ain’t got them hoots, nor that butt, nor those astounding long legs…

    Making a political correctness issue out of any toy is a sure sign that this society is in decline. It is proof positive that there are way too many people in this country who simply don’t have enough to do.

    Report Post »  
  • vaughan
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:11pm

    Such a bad idea. What idiot thought this up? One of the most devastating results of chemo is hair loss especially for girls and women so why would anyone want to remind us of such a thing.

    Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:30am

      as long as they have beer gut ken, im cool with it……

      Report Post »  
    • ProbIemSoIver
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:43am

      Exactly. The mind is a very powerful thing. The thought of Cancer, The worry of cancer and the sight of cancer (bald barbie) can bring cancer on.
      This is why the Powers that be, remind men about their prostate daily.
      It creates the problem, in addition to the preservatives in our food and drinks and the GMO’s.
      They want us to ingest their crap to make us ill, to peddle their Pharmaceuticals.

      Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
  • MCDAVE
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:04pm

    Mattel Inc..Like any company; has to base decisions on sales potential,,Imagine what might happen to sales if they mass produced a Michell Obama Barbie…there stocks would crash and the tax payers would have to do another billion dollar bailout

    Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:01pm

    Wonderful – another stupid idea.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • The Eradicator
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:57pm

    … *Sigh* …

    Report Post » The Eradicator  
  • semihardrock
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:49pm

    The OWS Barbie- comes with a tent, bag of heroin and a rape kit.

    Report Post » semihardrock  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:56pm

      THANK YOU! Thank you for my biggest belly laugh of the day! :)

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:29pm

      Oh .. yes .. and it has an “odor” also!

      As for the Cancer Barbie….

      This is stupid .. if they want such a doll .. develope and market it yourself! Why do they always try to force bad ideas and potential loss of capital on others? Spend your own money.

      Report Post »  
    • ADNIL
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 5:59am

      Divorce Barbie comes with all of Ken’s stuff.

      Report Post »  
  • Dougral Supports Israel
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:33pm

    Lets let kids be kids and stop trying to preach a lesson to them in every corner of life.

    Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:27pm

    Oh brother.. a bald Barbie with boobs.. Hey mom and dad, how about a bald baby doll.. without the boobs.. Give Barbie to pre teens who have boobs.. oh yeah they are at school being subjected to watching video’s on how gays get it on.. The devil is having a hayday.. grab your children and run like hell.. And those Mommy and Dads who want to give their little ones Barbie with boobs, instead, how about you take an old Barbie and have a hair shaving show.. because isn’t that what your child had?? God help us!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:59pm

      I believe the post might have something to do with the woman who gave her 7yr old daughter vouchers for a boob job and other plastic surgery?
      Actually, it’s quite relevant in context when you think about it.

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • laserblast
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:26pm

    What about obese barbie? How does it make the kids who are fat feel about having to play with anorexic dolls?

    Report Post » laserblast  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:21pm

    Why not have a bald Barbie. If the Bald Barbie doesn‘t sell too well to it’s intended market (those afflicted with cancer), the lesbian market will fill the sales void.

    One recommendation to Mattel. If you want cancer victims to purchase Bald Barbie, add an assortment of wigs, scarves, hats, and head bands to the package or else she will just come across as Lesbian Barbie.

    Report Post »  
  • nosharia
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:15pm

    The Gerson Barbie.

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:10pm

    Does Bald Barbie come complete with her own Marijuana stash? I wouldn’t put it past these Progressives to try to get Children smoking weed at an early age. I remember those fist fu@king kits handed out at schools to students.Don’t believe me? See the links below;

    http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2009/12/fistgate-ii-high-school-students-given-fisting-kits-at-kevin-jennings-glsen-conference/

    http://biggovernment.com/jhoft/2009/12/08/fistgate-ii-high-school-students-given-fisting-kits-at-kevin-jennings-2001-glsen-conference/

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • disenlightened
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:06pm

    And how about Transgender Barbie, the one with the detachable penis and wig?

    Report Post » disenlightened  
  • kentuckylady
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:05pm

    Im all for it. Children need to know that beauty comes from within. Ive never had to deal with cancer with anyone close to me, so I hope I havent said anything to offend anyone.

    Report Post »  
    • Bro Geo Too
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:45pm

      On the contrary, KL, your post was positive and empathetic, a real thoroughbred.

      Report Post »  
    • Marine25
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:57pm

      No, KentuckyLady, your sentiments are appropriate and welcome. The rest of the posts here are people proving they will take literally any opportunity to show their ignorance and bigotry.

      Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:22pm

      You are right of course and don’t worry about offending anyone on this site. Speak your mind, always, and let the chips fall where they may. God bless.

      Report Post »  
    • FoxholeAtheist
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 12:45pm

      Thank you.

      This really is a good idea. Any help at all or joy it might bring to a dying child is a good thing. I don’t think any of these people understand what it is like for a family and a child to have to go through something like this. They don’t understand how painful it is both emotionally and physically; and if they do, they sure are living up to their Xtian name in their outright attack of this idea. They are showing their true colors.

      Any god that allows a fate like this upon a baby isn‘t worthy of my praise or worship and shouldn’t be worthy or yours, either. If these people saw how tormented these children are and what agony they go through when they suffer from this would also question their faith. To not, is to pluck out the eye of reason for all time and turn their backs on logic. I implore each and every one of you to walk through a cancer ward and see just how ineffective your useless prayer is when the chemotherapy doesn’t work anymore.

      Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:53pm

    I think Barbies are slut dolls anyway. They are false. They are PLASTIC (hello Nancy P and all other women full of toxic chemicals) which look PLASTIC and falsely “young”. They are false ideals to which young men try to reach and cannot except by being “plasticized”. I could go on and on.

    I HATED Barbie from the get-go. I was trying to rear a small daughter whose errant dad and his girl friends thought Barbie was just the thing….I loved the baby dolls that made little girls want to be moms and take care of their children, not the 24/7/365 star of their own sordid tiny worlds. Barbies won for a while, but GOD won in the end. YES!

    I do NOT like, never have and NEVER WILL LIKE barbies for oh, so many reasons, bald or not. To me a bald barbie supports the cancer industry. I find using a child’s toy to support the cancer industry absolutely obscene.

    Report Post »  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:11pm

      Hmmm, three times I wish upon your errant ex-husband a STD. Does that help?

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • jespasinthru
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:47pm

      Kickagrandma, quit knocking Barbie! I grew up playing with that plastic lady, and all her fashions, and all her friends. I didn’t like Ken, though. I got mama to buy me a GI Joe for Barbie’s boyfriend instead. He was half an inch taller than Ken, had jointed arms, legs and hands, and came with weapons. And I liked that trademark scar on his face. Also, he came in lots of different races. Back then, you could only get Barbie in either White or Black.

      Report Post » jespasinthru  
    • MrSunshine
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 3:12pm

      No disrespect inteded Grandma but what the H*** is the cancer industry?

      Report Post » MrSunshine  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:49pm

    Well, they have been making the anorexic barbie for years. Could they make the birth defect barbie, the cleft lip barbie, the crack/meth head barbie. How about the male prostitute Ken doll.
    They could make the “Mad Black Woman” Barbie, and the Wealth Redistribution Ken (Just make it Half Black)
    They could make the Post traumatic stress disorder GI Joe (Make sure he is a Major, and kind of Islamic looking, maybe put a Psychiatrist uniform on him).
    How about the Jihad Ken with Burka Barbie.
    All of these would help out our kids, you know, to better understand the crappy USA we all live in.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Mtremblay
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:54pm

      LOL I think someone did make a welfare Barbie but will they make an OWS one too?

      Report Post »  
    • mccracken
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:58pm

      Blazer Barbie with GBTV, obsessed with Moochelle, hoarding food and stockpiling gold.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:40pm

      @Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      “While tending to Dathon’s wounds, Picard deduces that Darmok and Jalad were two warriors who met on an island called Tanagra, and had to cooperate to defeat a dangerous beast dwelling there, becoming friends in the process. Dathon tried to recreate this event between him and Picard on El-Adrel, hoping that their shared adversity would forge a friendship where words had failed.”

      Great name for a “The Blaze” account: ‘Cooperate to defeat a dangerous beast dwelling there, becoming friends in the process.” Sounds like what we are doing here. Defeat the communist, socialist and Marxist and become friends in the process. I love it! Keep up the good work.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • booger71
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:47pm

      How about a McCrackhead Barbie that is obsessed with what other people are obsessed about.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:48pm

      Exactly.
      Blaze member since the day it was launched.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:47pm

    Bald Barbie? Easy fix-just have older brother scalp younger sister’s Barbie then voile (vwa-la)

    Can we have a Port-wine stain Barbie? How about melanoma Barbie? Don’t forget Bi-polar Barbie.

    Believe me, as a Cancer survivor-I’m not cracking jokes out of turn. But, I also know, sometimes you just gotta leave things be…and kids‘ toys don’t need to be part of “a cause or fundraiser”. K?

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • mcgrawactor1
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:46pm

    I see nothing wrong with this at all. My mother suffered through cancer treatemtns for 13 years. Whenever I see a lady with a scarf on in the store, or a wig that looks obviously like a cover for a condition and they ask about it, I will make a point of telling my young kids, that she is so pretty and like all of us she is maximizing her fashion thing. This has never failed and has opened up discussion about the disease that ultimately took their grandmother’s life. Since cancer is in our family on both sides, I need to be sure they understand that and to be sure they have a healthy take on things. So far so good!! All this leads to Barbie…thank you for making my job easier. Barbie has never been a bad influence in any way in our house. Maybe cuz I parent my kids well and help them to understand who Barbie is, in her movies, in her idealized figurines, etc…Barbie is cool with my kid, cuzI I am cool with my kid and my kid is COOL. Nuff.

    Report Post » mcgrawactor1  
    • Jennifer_D
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:27pm

      @McGrawActor1

      My grandma passed away of cancer and one of the worst things for her was the loss of her hair. She was always so self-conscious about it when out in public. It is wonderful that you take time with your children so that they‘ll understand about cancer and they won’t gawk or stare without understanding. That more than anything goes a long way in preparing children for illness/death and if the individual notices it will make them feel less self-conscious. I like that approach better than a cancer Barbie.

      Report Post » Jennifer_D  
  • PINCHER
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:44pm

    I never realized how forward-thinking I was as a child, but there I was, churning out bald cancer-survivor Barbie with misappropriated scissors, and paraplegic athlete Ken (pulled the legs out), and of course, clothing-optional resort owner GI Joe.

    Report Post » PINCHER  
    • FHNYMillie
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:52pm

      As I was reading the article I was thinking about how many bald Barbies my daughters had. They would give haircuts repeatedly, and eventually they had the “Bald Barbie” of 35 years in the future. Little did we know!

      Report Post »  
  • Zcat
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:43pm

    I bet if they sell this item with different style wigs as accessories it will be a big seller.

    Report Post »  
  • TXPilot
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:43pm

    Ok, it would seem to me that this is a bad idea. As a parent who had a sick child, the last thing a kid wants to be reminded of when they are playing, is the fact they are sick. Everyone needs a time to just forget their problems and enjoy life, and giving a kid a bald doll, because they are sick and don’t rate a “normal” one, seems to be just a bit cruel. It would just serve as an additional reminder that they are indeed different from everyone else……not cool…

    Report Post » TXPilot  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:52pm

      They could just take all of those unsold Sinead O Connor dolls, bingo Bald Barbie.

      You are correct, sick kids don’t need to have someone point out they are sick. They just want to feel and be treated like they are normal. Good post.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • momrules
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:41pm

    If this helps a child that is going through cancer treatment I am all for it. If it lightens the day for that child it will also help the parents who are going through their own hell watching their child suffer.

    Report Post »  
    • ProbIemSoIver
      Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:52am

      Yeah, 2 wrongs make a right. A person with Cancer should feel better because another person is sticken with sickness and anxiety also. Nice Mentality.

      Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
  • diablosho
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:39pm

    Seems like a better idea than Slut Barbie…

    Report Post »  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love