Archive for July, 2011

Twin Stanford alumnae to premiere documentary ‘The Power of Two’

July 7th, 2011

Identical twins are accustomed to sharing everything. But twins ANABEL STENZEL and ISABEL STENZEL BYRNES, both ’94, share more than just a love of hiking and the same bright smile. Both were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an often fatal genetic lung disease, at three days old. And both received lifesaving double lung transplants from Stanford Hospital – Anabel in 2000 and then again in 2007 and Isabel in 2004.

The Power of Two, a documentary film about the Stenzel twins’ battle against cystic fibrosis and the challenges facing organ donation around the world, will make its Bay Area premiere on Saturday, Sept. 10, at San Francisco’s Castro Theater. A matinee screening will be held at 2 p.m., followed by a VIP reception at 6 p.m. and a gala screening at 7:30 p.m., which will be followed by performances by artists from the film’s soundtrack. Both screenings will include a Q&A with Anabel and Isabel and director/producer Marc Smolowitz. Tickets start at $20.

The Stenzels are now thriving after their transplants, but as The Power of Two illustrates, many patients in need of organ donations are not so lucky. The film documents Anabel and Isabel’s book tour (they wrote a memoir in 2007, also called The Power of Two) through Japan, their mother’s native country, which has the lowest rate of organ donation in the world due to cultural taboos against transplants. Leading American and Japanese experts, including Dr. BRUCE REITZ, the Norman E. Shumway Professor, Emeritus, at the Stanford School of Medicine and the surgeon who performed the twins’ transplants, discuss the future of organ donation and the need for advancements in the treatment of cystic fibrosis and other illnesses.

“I feel that the Stanford community could benefit from seeing this moving and educational documentary about the miracle of breath, the impact of culture and the drive to survive through the miracles of modern medicine,” Anabel Stenzel said.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Power of Two website.

—Robin Migdol

 

 

 

Cary and Graeme Hoste include Haas Center program on their wedding wish list

July 6th, 2011

As part of the gift registry for their wedding last summer, Cary (Robbins) Hoste ’09; MA’10 and Graeme Hoste ’08 gave their guests the option of donating to Stanford College Prep (SCP), a program at the Haas Center for Public Service that works with local youth in their pursuit of higher education.

“SCP students will be the first in their families to attend college, and their tenacity, intellect, and good humor are inspiring,” the couple wrote in the summer issue of Commons, the Haas Center’s quarterly magazine.

“We volunteered with SCP throughout our years at Stanford. We are impressed by SCP’s positive support of the students, their academic success, and their dreams of college, and we were so happy to have this opportunity to give back.”

Initially, the Hostes weren’t sure how their unusual registry suggestion would go over with their wedding guests, but were touched by the response.

“We heard again and again from friends and family how meaningful it was for them to give to SCP, and their support of the program that has meant so much to us was one of the best wedding gifts we could have received.”

Stanford snags another Directors’ Cup

July 1st, 2011

Stanford Athletics has claimed its 17th consecutive Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, an award that is presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Learfield Sports and USA Today to the top intercollegiate athletic program in the nation.

After claiming national championships this year in the sports of men’s gymnastics, women’s water polo and women’s lightweight crew-varsity eight, Stanford has won at least one NCAA team title for 35 consecutive years. The national title won by men’s gymnastics was particularly significant, as it marked Stanford’s 100th NCAA team championship. Three other Stanford teams — women’s soccer, women’s tennis and women’s rowing — placed second in NCAA championship competition.

Eighteen of Stanford’s 35 intercollegiate programs finished their respective seasons ranked in the top 10 nationally, while eight teams were ranked first in the nation at some point during the year. In addition, four Stanford student-athletes — CHRISTEN PRESS (women’s soccer), ANNIKA DRIES (women’s water polo), ASHLEY HANSEN (softball) and ALIX KLINEMAN (women’s volleyball) — earned national player of the year honors in their respective sports. HILARY BARTE and MALLORY BURDETTE were named Intercollegiate Tennis Association Doubles Team of the Year, while OWEN MARECIC was named the inaugural recipient of the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football.

Three Stanford coaches — TARA VANDERVEER (women’s basketball), THOM GLIEMI (men’s gymnastics) and AL ACOSTA (women’s lightweight rowing) — were named national coaches of the year, while seven Cardinal coaches earned conference/region coach of the year honors.

Stanford’s student-athletes also continue to display an unwavering commitment to academic excellence; this year 20 Stanford student-athletes earned Academic All-America status as recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between NACDA and USA Today in 1993-94 to honor universities that strive for success in all of their sports programs. The awards program was expanded in 1995-96 to include NCAA Divisions II and III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Each institution is awarded points based on its finish in 20 sports, 10 each for men and women.

Read the full announcement on the Athletics website.