Girl petitions for American Girl doll diabetes accessories

11-year-old diagnosed with diabetes wants doll company to recognize disease

Living with diabetes is a challenge.

That can be especially true for children. However, one little girl is using her struggle with the disease to try to help other kids with diabetes.

Like so many little girls, Anja Busse loves her American Girl doll. When Anja was diagnosed with diabetes she quickly realized something important was missing from the American Girl line of accessories. No she's on a mission to change that.

"Hi my name is Anja Busse. I'm 11 years old and a little over 3 months ago, I got diagnosed with type one diabetes."

The Wisconsin girl says being diagnosed with diabetes has made her feel so different. She posted a video of herself talking about her struggles.

"I can't tell you how many takes I took (while making the video). I took like a million takes," she said.

Anja hoped the video would encourage people to sign her online petition. She wants the American Girl doll company to make diabetic accessories for their dolls.

"They even have bald American Girl dolls for girls that have cancer. It's really cool what they have. It kind of makes me a little upset because the only thing they don't have are diabetic supplies," she said.

Girls often choose American Girl dolls that look like them. The company already makes different medical accessories such as wheelchairs and allergy shots.

"It would mean a lot to me and it would make a lot of little girls who have diabetes really happy," said Anja.

Anja's mother said it would help young patients feel more comfortable with their disease.

"When she got diagnosed in the hospital, they sent us home with a bunch of books and nothing fun. So we thought it'd be really neat especially for girls to have something to play with with their dolls. So their doll can be just like them," said Ingrid Busse, Anja's mother.

Anja's petition already has more than 1,000 signatures. If you would like to help support her efforts, go here.