Released on = April 12, 2006, 11:33 am

Press Release Author = Apex Marketing and Design

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = Florence residents Van & Tracy Rowell discovered they were
pregnant with Omphalopagus conjoined twins in early February of this year. They
were referred to The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston where the
initial diagnosis just 13 weeks into the pregnancy wasn't very hopeful. Twenty
weeks into the pregnancy the couple learned the heartbreaking news...

Press Release Body =
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/12/2006

Story of Couple Carrying Conjoined Twins Ends Sadly

Florence, SC - 4/12/2006 - Florence residents Van & Tracy Rowell discovered they
were pregnant with conjoined twins in early February of this year. They were
referred to The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston where the initial
diagnosis just 13 weeks into the pregnancy wasn\'t very hopeful. The couple decided
against termination and opted to hope for the best even though the odds were against
a successful delivery and possible separation.

Only 1 birth in every 200,000 is conjoined twins. Of all conjoined twin
conceptions, 60% are stillborn and only 1 in 4 survive longer than one day after
birth. The Rowell twins were Omphalopagus conjoined twins fused from mid-chest to
the abdomen and shared a liver. Each had its own heart but whether or not the twins
shared a pericardium (protective sac surrounding the heart) was inconclusive.

Subsequent check-ups were positive as the twins grew equally at a normal rate and
some of the earlier diagnosed problems improved such as the strength of one twin\'s
heart which had an irregular heartbeat and lower heart rate than the other twin.
70% of conjoined twins are female and once confirmed, the Rowell twins were given
the names Faith Anne & Vanna Love Rowell.

News of the conjoined Rowell twins (http://www.rowelltwins.com) quickly spread by
word of mouth as the couple reached out to a close group of family, friends and
church members who in turn shared the news with others. Just 3 days after sharing
the news for the first time, the couple began receiving email, cards and calls from
all over the world.

To make it easier for everyone interested to keep up with news of the twins\'
progress, the couple created a website and blog to chronicle their challenging
journey carrying conjoined twins (http://journal.rowelltwins.com). "We\'ve never
experienced such an outpouring of love and prayer. It\'s been humbling to hear of
entire churches and Christian schools praying daily for Faith & Vanna and our
family. Amazingly, we\'ve had over 20,000 unique visitors to the website since
February 6, 2006," commented Van Rowell, father of the twins.

Throughout the pregnancy, the couple remained hopeful and plans were even underway
for the twins\' care after delivery. At a scheduled check-up 20 weeks into the
pregnancy, the couple learned the heartbreaking news that the twins, Faith and Vanna
had passed away. The following day was highly emotional when the stillborn twins
were delivered and the couple was given time to say their goodbyes.

The couple\'s sister-in-law, Shannon Wright
(http://www.rowelltwins.com/Marathon_Fundraiser.html), announced after learning the
twins were conjoined to help the couple offset current and future expenses by asking
people to sponsor her as she planned to run in the upcoming Country Music Marathon
(http://www.cmmarathon.com/home.html) in Nashville, TN on April 29, 2006. Shannon
still plans to run the marathon - along with several others now - in memory of Faith
and Vanna and is still seeking donations to help the family with expenses already
incurred.

Support from the church community and even strangers who\'ve learned of the story
have been inspiring. Tracy Rowell, the twin\'s mother added, "We are so grateful to
everyone and even though are hearts are grieving, we feel so blessed to have been
given the chance to know Faith and Vanna, even though it was only for 5 months.
It\'s amazing to see how Faith and Vanna were able to touch lives all around the
world in such a short time."

Contact for more insights into this topic: Van Rowell. Direct line: (843) 629-0629.
Email: mail@rowelltwins.com. Other helpful information can be found at:
(http://www.rowelltwins.com) and (http://journal.rowelltwins.com).

Web Site = http://www.apexmarketinganddesign.com

Contact Details = Van Rowell
604 Second Loop Rd.
Florence , 29505
$$country

843-629-0629
apexmarketing@sc.rr.com
http://www.apexmarketinganddesign.com