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4-Year-Old Battling Cancer Receives One-Of-A-Kind Barbie

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - She loves tea parties and playing princess. But, when 4-year-old Genesis Reyes underwent chemotherapy to battle her cancer, her hair fell out. The normally jubilant child started to feel a little sad.

"A few weeks into it her hair started falling out and she came in...now, this was a child that was so happy and loves to play and playful. She just didn't want to do anything that day, just sat there," said Kim Krupa, spokesperson from the Cancer Center for Kids in Mineola, Long Island.

Genesis Reyes (credit: Sophia Hall/WCBS 880)
Genesis Reyes (credit: Sophia Hall/WCBS 880)

Genesis told her parents, doctors and nurses that she did not feel like a princess anymore without her hair.

"They can't really, especially at her age 3 or 3-and-a-half, they can't really process and understand why they don't have hair, but they clearly have an understanding that they don't think it's right. And it was so upsetting, and I said 'We need to make her a princess, make her feel special,'" said Krupa.

Another parent whose daughter is also being treated heard about Genesis and told Krupa she wants to do something to help. Turned out, the mother knows the wife of Mattel Toy Company CEO.

Mattel made a one-of-a-kind Barbie in the likeness of Genesis... that is bald. The Barbie is in a princess gown and is named 'Princess Genesis.'

"They made a doll that looks like her that's bald in a beautiful princess outfit. The box, the packaging is completely 'Princess Genesis' and says '100 percent princess', it's beautiful. It's just amazing - a one-of-a-kind original doll only for her," said Krupa.

Genesis wore a princess gown and crown when she received the doll.

"I think that she will be thrilled to see that princesses don't have to have hair," said Krupa.

What do you think of the one-of-a-kind Barbie doll? Share your thoughts below!

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