Authors@Google: Anabel Stenzel & Isabel Stenzel Byrnes April 14, 2009

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Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes visit Google's Mountain View, CA headquarters to discuss their book "The Power of Two: a Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis." This event took place on April 2, 2009, as part of the Authors@Google series.

Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes are co-authors of "The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis." Born in 1972 in California to Japanese and German immigrant parents, identical twins Anabel and Isabel Stenzel recount in their memoir their lifelong struggle to pursue normal lives with Cystic Fibrosis while grappling with the realization that they will die young. This coming-of-age story reveals their tumultuous battle against their bodies, their desire for independent identities and their gradual acceptance of being loveable despite being physically different. The Power of Two details a life shaped by cultural tradition, dedication from a family that would not give up and inspiration from others who have shared the plight of having Cystic Fibrosis. We wish to convey the honest truth of growing up with a serious chronic illness in the family, how our illness community influenced us, and what lessons we learned along the way.

Authors and public speakers Isabel and Anabel Stenzel are 37 years old and reside in Redwood City , California. They both studied Human Biology at Stanford University. Anabel completed a Master's degree in Genetic Counseling and Isabel completed Master's degrees in Social Work and Public Health, both from the University of California, Berkeley. Anabel works as a genetic counselor at Stanford Hospital and Isabel has worked in health education and social work. They are both volunteers in the cystic fibrosis and organ donation communities. Both are co-chairs for the Heroes of Hope Living With Cystic Fibrosis Patient Recognition Program, a national program sponsored by Genentech, Inc. Anabel currently serves on the Board of Directors of Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc. Isabel serves on the Patient Advisory Committee for the United Network for Organ Sharing. Anabel and Isabel are both spokespersons for the California Transplant Donor Network, which helps raise awareness about the critical need for organ donation. In 2008, the Stenzel twins completed a nationwide book tour, and lectured to diverse constituencies at bookstores, hospitals, medical schools, and conferences about cystic fibrosis, organ donation and transplantation, and various other topics. In their spare time, Isabel and Anabel enjoy hiking, swimming, jogging and spending time with family and friends.