1. My grandmother just died on August 12 after a two year battle with breast cancer. I both understand and appreciate the sentiment being made by Mattel with the breast cancer Barbie. My grandmother underwent two mascetomies (pardon misspelling) with four years between both. I saw first hand how she struggled to maintain her identity as a woman in those four years and how her self esteem plumetted at feeling like only half. To present a beautiful, womanly doll to raise both funds and awareness of the cause should not be taken as such a slap in the face, as is implied here. Yes, if Mattel wanted to make it more realistic they could also remove a breast, give the doll not only a variety of wigs but also hats and falsies. But those aren't the types of things that generally tend to sell Barbie dolls and, especially with what this doll is representing, that is the most important part of all- Breast Cancer Barbie is beautiful because she represents hope. Whether it be the hope of a cure for those suffering now, or the hope of prevention for those currently at risk. Those who will buy this doll know about the wigs, the hats, the falsies, the treatments, the illness itself. Let them have their repreive from all of that and be reminded of the most important thing of all- HOPE.
PS- This has not been meant as a blast to anyone reguardless of how they feel about the issue. I've watched a beautiful woman suffer for two years, setting all of the negative side effects aside and never giving up hope. I know she would've loved to have Breast Cancer Barbie at her bedside.
Thank you for letting me vent.

Posted at 5:33PM on Aug 18th 2006 by Kat

2. As a breast cancer survivor (and a still bald one at that!), I'm sick of things like this Barbie. To me, this doll does not represent hope, she represents big corporation marketing. Marketing that focuses on the tragedy of a potentially fatal disease. Now, I applaud Mattel for donating to a very worthy cause, but why not just write a check for the $25,000? (They'll donate $2.50 per doll sold, with a minimum of $25,000.) You know why? Because they want the PROFIT that they'll make from these dolls. It's all marketing folks. Breast cancer is a "popular" cancer, especially with breast cancer awareness month coming up. To me, a much more effective marketing idea for Mattel would be to donate a large sum to Komen Foundation, and then during BC month, simply advertise on TV that they did it; show some uplifting survivor stories. Those stories give me hope, not a doll.

The only thing about the doll that resembles me is that she doesn't have nipples...

Posted at 8:45AM on Aug 19th 2006 by Dawn

3. I think the Barbie could have been marketed a little more to represent what a cancer patient is going through, to bring awareness. If nothing else, I think it would have been very tasteful, yet good for all who see/buy her, if she would have been bald, and came with a wig and scarf, instead of a head full of hair.

Posted at 10:27AM on Aug 19th 2006 by Cindy

4. I think if one was going to buy a Barbie anyways, they may as well buy this one...but I would rather send my check directly to Komen than pay for this doll and have Mattel send $2.50. Will little girls who play with this doll remember to do monthly self breast exams so they can continue to look like this doll instead of the bloated boobless hairless version of a doll on chemo? I guess in the end if it gets one more young person to so their monthly BSE and yearly checkup maybe it is worth it.

Posted at 10:27AM on Aug 19th 2006 by Sarah

5. I stongly disagree with the Breast Cancer Barbie! I find it a disgrace to all of us woman fighting for our lives. If Koman/Matell want to help, then they shoud find antoher way to market for Breast cancer awarness. That Barbie doenst give me hope... Hope for what... I know longer have my beautiful natuarl breast, My beast have scars through them, I have no nipples at this time, I have no hair at this time, my body from the inside out has been so destroyed from the poisen that was sent through my veins that it will take years for me to get my natural glow back, My brain doesnt function as it did... I have a Masters degree and I think and process alot slower now.....So how does this barbie give me a cancer patient/savior hope? Hope that I will look like her? Dress like her, I had long beautiful hair too, it will take year and years for my hair to grow back...is this barbie going to represent my hope for $2.50...Give me a break... Find a damn Cure dont sell stupid idiotic barbies to little girls that dont even understand what this shit is all about.... and to the adults that do.... You just dont have a clue....becuase you have not been through this!!
And how can any peron who is not going through this posibbly get hope? she certainly wont be getting to wear a beutiful gown to the hospital with her hair in an updoo for her dble mastectomy..... She wont have time to put on her makeup because she will be to sick, and lets not forget the pretty nails.... you cant go to the salon because you can get infections.....SO this doll really in my eyes is worth less.. I would not spend my money on it. Its not represenitve of what hope is for me or a prospctive person at risk.... infact it is a lie..

Posted at 10:28AM on Aug 19th 2006 by Andrea Mariani

6. As a breast cancer survivor and a stage 4 survivor I understand how upsetting this Barbie might make some people. I think the important thing to keep in mind is that she is titled " Pink Ribbon Barbie" not "breast Cancer Barbie."

The intent is that she represents hope and brings awareness, not that she represents a breast cancer survivor. I, for one, am thankful for anything that increases awareness into this terrible disease and the younger women are when they are made aware of it the better.

It would be nice if there was a way in which others could understand the terrible things we have to go through in order to survive, the surgeries, the chemo, the blow to our self esteem to mention just a few.

But let's be honest--who would buy it. This is not an attractive picture. Reality sure, but marketable no. It is easy to blame 'big business' for wanting to make a profit but the truth is that is the mission of all businesses. No one would be employed of businesses did not make a profit.

Posted at 11:37AM on Aug 19th 2006 by Beth

7. What gets me is the IRONY of using Barbie - a toy that has been lambasted repeatedly by feminist groups the world over for the unrealistic body representation of women.

AND now they want to attached Barbie to a disease that essestially makes that body image that much more unattainable. It smacks of irony and hypocrisy.

Posted at 12:02PM on Aug 19th 2006 by Adrienne

8. As a stage 3 cancer patient i just feel this should be more of a benefit for research then a benefit for mattel. They will be donating a nice amount to research yes but, it'd be nice to see more then a measley $2.50 per $40.00 doll going to Breast cancer research rather then to MAttel.
Barbie should portray a patient of Breast Cancer. I would at that point buy it for my daughters.
Just don't see this as a "collectors" doll. DON'T WANT IT! Don't agree with it!

Posted at 8:09PM on Aug 19th 2006 by Dee

9. This doll is about Mattel making money and nothing more. I'm not opposed to corporations making money. That's what they do. I am opposed to them doing it using the "darling" cause of breast cancer. I am bald, sick and in pain. This doll doesn't do a darn thing for me. It certainly does not give me hope. My treatments, my doctors and my family give me hope. Furthermore, as the mother of a five-year-old girl, I have to ask, how does a doll for children raise awareness? She doesn't have breasts. She won't for maybe 10 years. Right now, all she understands is that mommy has cancer, is sick and is going to lose her breast. She thinks this is normal. It's our life right now, so it is normal for her. How is a freaking doll in a pink dress that can't get sick or lose boobs or die going to help?

Posted at 9:02PM on Aug 20th 2006 by Rosie

10. pink ribbon barbie does nothin for me i did not look like that before during of after treatment . i'm tring to get my hair to grow and my blood to level out i know my daughter plays with barbie but not this one I want her to know what a real pink ribbon survivor looks like scars and all. Anne

Posted at 12:00AM on Aug 21st 2006 by Anne

11. WOW. I can feel so much of everyones anger and pain. I don't have breast cancer my aunt does. She is on her 3rd round in 11 years now. We are praying for her. I see where each one of you is coming from. I am getting the doll to put in my curio cabinet so that each moment I walk past her I remember to say a prayer for all the people fighting for survival to remember to have myself checked and in 10 years when my daughter gets her breast we will start her really early for her exams. I do think that maybe they should ALSO make a survivor doll and market it at the walkathons and the docters office where many of you woman go to with the wigs and the breasts and the whole shabang. They made a barbie who semmed to have a magic tummy! Rmemeber that one. Well maybe if they have a survivor doll out then us woman who want to can buy it and have a better way of explaining things to young children and let them play with dolls and change the wigs out rather than shoes and little tops. POWER TO YOU ALL

Posted at 11:06PM on Sep 29th 2006 by Mary

12. It seems that it is becoming a popular business tactic to make some "Pink Ribbon" product to sell during October. I do think it would be more genuine give money directly to the Komen foundation, or cancer society. I have gone this last spring and summer without hair and with one breast. I did not wear a wig, and because it was so hot I did not even wear a scarf sometimes. I wore a surgical mask in public and received many looks and remarks, some of them quite rude. I want the public to know what cancer really looks like. Why do we hide behind the wig and the filled in bra? This is reality and it sucks. This barbie is beautiful, and I would like to play with it if I was young. I don't want my grandbabies being afraid of cancer and if they will get it. I want they to enjoy life and play. Therfore, I would like to see a different item for awareness, not just a pink ribbon toy. It is hard to feel like a woman when I will never have two breasts again, or weigh 100 lbs, and yet products like these represent how women should look. This is age appropriate for 5 year olds; too young to deal with cancer, and yet older women are tired of competing with this societies interpretation of women.

Posted at 8:58AM on Oct 6th 2006 by Virginia

13. Ladies I so understand what your saying but lets remember this doll is about awareness. The doll will stay in my home so that whomever comes over sees her says oh wow I forgot I have to get checked. She is not a breast cancer survivor doll. I think there needs to be one. I would love to show my niece who is 8 that its real and there are different wigs to where and all. Just remember that its the first doll I believe so they are startin somewhere. Good Luck everyone

Posted at 12:16PM on Oct 6th 2006 by Mary

14. This is, i'm sorry, ridiculous:

They've introduced a doll that is trying to help support Breast Cancer in terms of both awareness and in terms of financial-aid. It doesn't (from what i can see) claim to be an anatomical equivilent of what Barbie would be like in such a circumstance, merely Barbie in a dress that bears the familiar (iconic even) ribbon.

One could read all sorts of negative connotations into anybody that produces something with a 'donation to charity' since they are using charity as a vehicle to sell more of their product, but we shouldn't because we should welcome people helping raise awareness/funding and generally trying to help.

Barbie is a popular child's toy and somewhat of a collector's-product, this version lets people buy a toy they like and feel good because they are helping find developments/improvements in the care of breast cancer patients, it in no way suggests that those who survive should be expected to look just like Barbie does.

It makes me feel sad that people are so outraged by something designed purely to help their cause. Reactions like this are a strong reason why some people shy away from discussing such sensitive issues, or why they awkward around the issue. You are creating tension where there should be support. You are creating disappointment (maybe even muted anger) at a point when you should be celebrating that Breast Cancer awareness is now so large that even Barbie - the prized doll of millions of girls - shows her support.

Yes we need to keep people informed that Breast Cancer has a huge affect and isn't just something that once you are cured everything is back to normal, but no we don't need to lambast a firm that is trying the cause.

Posted at 8:02PM on Oct 6th 2006 by Me

15. I just did the Race for the Cure with 13,000 other people in Omaha NE. I heard about the Barbie today and came home to look on the internet. I too am a survivor. I have 4 years behind me and I think the doll is beautiful. I played with Barbie as a child and she holds a special spot in my heart. I have never looked like that before, during, or after cancer. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. My husband told me after surgery and hair loss that I was more beautiful to him now than I had ever been. We are survivors, that is beautiful in itself. We have and are fighting the fight, can't we dream and think positive when we see something working towards our cause? I may not look like that doll, but I sure feel like her!! I plan on buying her as soon as possible.

Posted at 7:48PM on Oct 8th 2006 by Becky Hamik

16. I will purchase this beautiful doll and I will look at it everyday and remember to do my self examination monthly...I will remember to say a prayer for the ones who have been touched by this disease...I will also pray that the ones touched by this disease will find some comfort in knowing that by me purchasing this doll, a small donation will be made that may help find a cure. No, I haven't ever had breast cancer, but I have had several family members die from it and many others die from other forms of cancer. Of course it is a marketing ploy from Mattel, but if the money raised helps find a cure, how can that be so bad??? I can understand your bitterness...but would you rather have no one help at all???

Posted at 6:16PM on Oct 10th 2006 by Denise

17. I am a breast cancer survivor of 8 years. I read these comments and recognized every emotion: sadness, anger, loss, disgust, etc. I remembered it all.

I don't want to buy a product to support breast cancer research; that doesn't give me a good feeling. I give money directly to Komen. I volunteer to support women who are currently in treatment.

But that's what I do. You -- you do whatever you can, in whatever way you are moved to act. But please act, please help. Thank you.

Posted at 1:59AM on Oct 11th 2006 by Lisa Guinn

18. I wish there was a Colon cancer Barbie doll. At least it would imply that women also get colon and other cancers. It would also give me hope when I see it in my home, just as the "Pink" every (breast cancer items) under the sun items for breast cancer.It would help me see that cancer is a terrible ordeal but most of us get thru it and survive. We need hope in our lives. I think we all know the horrible effects of cancer on our bodies and minds we must find hope in a symbol regardless if the manufactorer is trying to make a buck. I don't see wigs, scarfs etc.. being free because it's makers feel sorry for women with cancer.

Posted at 4:52AM on Oct 11th 2006 by Lauren

19. I was very sad when I read your outrage about barbie. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35. I am a 2 year survivor and was thrilled when I heard that there was going to be a pink ribbon barbie. I played with barbie when I was a child and I never felt like I needed to look like her.
People ask me why I wear so much pink and pink ribbon stuff. I tell them this.....I wear it or have it because I want everyone that I know to be aware that breast cancer could be knocking on their door next. I also wear it because I am proud. Proud to be a breast cancer survivor. I know it could come back but it makes me live every day the best that I can. I do not let little things get to me. I also wear it for hope..Hope that someday there will be a cure.

I am thinking those of you that are so angry about the pink ribbon barbie are still in treatment or just getting out. I remember how I felt about my body at that time. There was nothing pretty about it to me. I hope that this will past for you. Everyone is beautiful to someone. And barbie is also ugly to many.

I will pray for all of you for good health.

We need a cure for all of us. We need awareness to all of those who have not been diagnosed yet. If Mattel is making money from this doll I really don’t care. They are donating to a very good cause. Don’t think that any of the other companies donating money are not making money also. There are a lot of pink ribbon stuff being sold that is not donated to anyone That is what I would not buy.
I have told my husband that I want pink ribbon barbie for Christmas.

Posted at 10:28PM on Oct 19th 2006 by Raquel

20. I think pink ribbon barbie is wonderful! She's getting the message across and raising awareness. Part of the profit is also going to a great cause. Breast Cancer runs high in my family both of my grandmothers are survivors my mother also. This barbie made wonderful gifts that my family loved. No she doesn't look like she has cancer or that she is a breast cancer survivor, but you have to keep in mind (Its Barbie)so she has to be beautiful.

Posted at 11:55PM on Oct 21st 2006 by Brisha