The Power of Two: Twins' Book Focuses on Extraordinary Survival Story, the Power of Perseverance and Hope, and Recent Medical Advances

The Stenzel twins' coming-of-age memoirs help them raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis, organ donation and transplants, and the need for continued medical research.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) March 4, 2008 -- The recently released book by Isabel Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel Stenzel -- "The Power of Two: a Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis" (University of Missouri Press, December 2007) -- has earned remarkable praise from patient advocates, the medical and scientific communities, and families facing chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, among others.

The Stenzels tell of the their lifelong struggle to pursue normal lives while grappling with the realization that likely would die young. Their coming-of-age story shares their battles against their bodies, their desire for independent identities, and their fight to overcome end-stage lung disease and receive life-saving lung transplants. Kirkus Reviews called the book a "touching and candid portrayal of a devastating disease." People magazine said "the connectedness of twins shines through" in their "grippingly honest" memoir.

Now 35, the Stenzels provide a stirring look at the health care system, their immigrant parents' challenges to maneuver health care institutions, their Japanese-German biracial heritage, the impact of illness on marriage and family, and the importance of support networks. The twins poignantly share their lives growing up in Los Angeles while enduring multiple hospital stays, their symbiotic relationship and Christian faith, and their journeys to Stanford University and the University of California - Berkeley from which both graduated.

Looking ahead, the Stenzels hope to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and organ donation, an immediate hope for Cystic Fibrosis patients. Born in 1972, 17 years before scientists discovered the genetic mutation that causes CF, the twins hope for a day when gene therapy, stem cell research or another medical breakthrough will eradicate the disease. In the meantime, they will share the lessons and medical developments that have helped them, and try to offer hope and inspiration for families facing chronic illness.

More information is available at www.stenzeltwins.com.

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