Twins Names: Jade Hope and Erin Faith Buckles
Birthdate: Born February 26, 2004 at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Type of Conjoined Twins: Thoracopagus; the girls were connected from mid-chest to navel, facing each other and shared a diaphragm and liver. Erin's heart was partially in Jade's chest and they shared a pericardium (the sac around the heart). According to information on their website, their hearts shared a small electrical connection and often beat in synch.
Separation Date: June 19, 2004
Separation Location: Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
Separation Team: Gary Hartman, pediatric surgeon
Michael Slack, cardiologist
Michael Slack, cardiologist
Status: The original surgery date was postponed to allow more skin to grow and rescheduled for mid-June 2004. Since the surgery, the girls are happy and healthy.
Other Information: The girls' story was featured on Primetime Live in January 2005. Their father is a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. They have an older brother, Kevin, and older sister, Taylor.
