'I want a doll that's just like me!' 11-year-old with diabetes launches petition for an American Girl with an insulin pump

By Margot Peppers

Published: 14:18 EST, 21 February 2014 | Updated: 18:10 EST, 21 February 2014

A young girl with diabetes has launched a petition for American Girl to create a doll she can relate to.

On her Change.org page, 11-year-old Anja Busse, from Antigo, Wisconsin, explains that she was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes three months ago, and it has turned her life upside-down.

She says having an American Girl doll with an insulin pump and other diabetic accessories will help her, and other young girls with the disease, feel accepted.

Scroll down for video

Mini-me toy: 11-year-old Anja Busse, from Antigo, Wisconsin, has launched a Change.org petition for American Girl to create a doll with diabetes, like her

Mini-me toy: 11-year-old Anja Busse, from Antigo, Wisconsin, has launched a Change.org petition for American Girl to create a doll with diabetes, like her

Equality: 'I just want everyone to feel good about themselves no matter if they have something "wrong with them,"' she writes

Equality: 'I just want everyone to feel good about themselves no matter if they have something "wrong with them,"' she writes

'I just want everyone to feel good about themselves no matter if they have something "wrong with them,"' she writes.

Anja's petition has had more than 1,400 signatures so far, with many supporters commenting that they agree with her initiative.

'My six-year-old daughter has type 1 diabetes and has since she was four,' wrote one mother. 'She is getting to the age for these dolls and I would love to buy her something she can relate with.'

Anja told WJFW that it's high time for American Girl to make a doll for kids with diabetes, since they already manufacture ones with other medical accessories like wheelchairs and allergy shots.

WATCH: Petition for American Girl to create a diabetic doll

 
Noble initiative: Anja's petition, which asks for the toy company to create a doll with an insulin pump and other diabetic accessories, has had more than 1,400 signatures so far

Noble initiative: Anja's petition, which asks for the toy company to create a doll with an insulin pump and other diabetic accessories, has had more than 1,400 signatures so far

'They even have bald American Girl dolls for girls that have cancer. It's really cool what they have,' she said.

'It kind of makes me a little upset because the only thing they don't have are diabetic supplies,' she added.

Anja's mother Ingrid explained that when her daughter was diagnosed at the hospital, the doctors sent her home with a bunch of books about the disease, but 'nothing fun'.

Meaningful: 'I would just really like the diabetic supplies. It would mean a lot to me and it would make a lot of little girls who have diabetes really happy,' she said

Meaningful: 'I would just really like the diabetic supplies. It would mean a lot to me and it would make a lot of little girls who have diabetes really happy,' she said

Something missing: Anja's mother Ingrid explained that when she got diagnosed at the hospital, the doctors sent her home with a bunch of books about the disease, but 'nothing fun' like a doll

Something missing: Anja's mother Ingrid explained that when she got diagnosed at the hospital, the doctors sent her home with a bunch of books about the disease, but 'nothing fun' like a doll

'We thought it'd be really neat -  especially for girls - to have something to play with their dolls, so their doll can be just like them,' she said.

Anja has addressed her petition to Jean McKenzie, the executive vice president of American Girl, and she hopes to get 148,000 more signatures.

'I would just really like the diabetic supplies. It would mean a lot to me and it would make a lot of little girls who have diabetes really happy,' she said.