Ana Mariko Stenzel was a force of nature throughout her 41 years. Born one of a twin with cystic fibrosis, she received two double lung transplants at ages 28 and 35. Ana enjoyed a full life, earning two degrees, working 16 years as a genetic counselor, traveling and enjoying the outdoors. She and her twin, Isa, published a memoir "The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis," that inspired a documentary film. After her death from metastatic cancer, Ana donated her corneas so that two others could enjoy the sights she had seen. Considering Ana's image on the float an honor, Isa confirmed that it "eases the grief of her absence by knowing that her gift of sight is another part of her legacy."

Ana's Story

Ana Mariko Stenzel was a force of nature throughout her 41 years. Born one of a twin with cystic fibrosis (CF), she was given a 50% chance of survival before her intestinal surgery at three days of age. At ages 28 and 35, Ana received two double lung transplants.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ana and her twin sister Isabel endured daily respiratory therapy and countless hospitalizations. Their German and Japanese parents taught them discipline but also to love life, especially the outdoors. According to Isa, Ana "loved butterflies because they represented lungs and new life."

Ana saw academics as a way to compensate for her ill body and earned degrees in human biology and genetic counseling. She enjoyed a successful 16-year career as a genetic counselor at Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

Ana chose to live "as if her donor were watching" and won 20 medals as a Transplant Games athlete. She published a memoir with Isabel called "The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis," which then inspired the documentary film of the same name. She participated on different boards, lectured nationwide, and travelled with Isabel throughout Japan to lecture about donation.

"Ana's transplants gave her never-ending energy that allowed her to become a passionate and relentless advocate for organ, tissue and eye donation, especially among Asian Americans," said Isa, who was a float rider in 2008.

Ana lived each day with determination, wry humor, gratitude and love. She enjoyed swimming, dogs, environmentalism, good food, her friends, and the Indigo Girls. Post-transplants, she discovered a love of snow-camping, hiking, backpacking, and exploring national parks.

Ana married Prentiss "Trent" Wallace three years before her death from metastatic cancer on September 22, 2013. Trent affirmed that "Ana was a very generous person, who after receiving the gift of lung transplantation was fortunate to enjoy over a decade giving back to the community. Her cornea donation was her final gift."

Isa summed up that "Ana loved the world as much as the world loved Ana. She travelled the world, seeing extraordinary visions. It's fitting that two other people can now see out of her eyes."

"It is incredibly meaningful that Ana's image will be honored on the float. This honor eases the grief of her absence by knowing that her gift of sight is another part of her legacy."