In fall 2009, the Japanese version of the twins’ memoir will be published as “Mirakuru Tsuinz!: Nanbyou wo norikoeta Futago no Kizuna” (“Miracle Twins! Twins Overcoming Illness Together”) by Iwanami Shoten Publishing. To support the Japanese launch of the book, they will embark upon a speaking tour in October that will share their story and attitudes towards illness and organ transplantation with an industrialized nation that has the fewest organ transplants. With fewer than 100 deceased donor transplants having been performed in Japan since 1997, the promise that “Mirakuru Tsuinz!” can influence public conversation about organ transplantation in Japan has already excited Japanese transplant advocates, who are taking a lead role in planning the twins’ tour.

Notably, Japanese law, a lack of transplantation infrastructure, and cultural attitudes impose major restrictions on organ donation; and, most of the 12,000 people on Japan’s organ transplant list will die before receiving a transplant. The Diet (Japanese Parliament) recently changed the law to allow children under age 15 to give and receive organs, so public interest is likely to remain very high during the twins’ October visit. Additionally, the twins’ tour will promote awareness of Cystic Fibrosis and related health conditions, thus helping to improve the quality of life of many in Japan who go under diagnosed and under treated.

The twins have received many requests to speak, demonstrating that the Japanese public is eager to hear about the personal benefits of organ transplantation. The goal of the twins’ speaking tour is to engage in open discussion that can influence public opinion and potentially change hearts and minds around key issues presented in their book. In addition, as discussed below, the Japanese tour provides an opportunity for the twins, as well as sponsors and community partners, to promote organ donation and transplantation, and Cystic Fibrosis aware ness, to people around the world.

No related posts.