About Gemini

Gemini Untwined is the world’s leading charity dedicated to the research and treatment of craniopagus twins around the globe.

What we do
How we do it
Meet the twins
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What we do

Craniopagus twins (CPT) is a term for two independent children that are connected to each other with fused skulls, intertwined brains, and shared blood vessels.

Our mission is to offer hope and medical solutions to challenges faced by craniopagus children and others with complex craniofacial conditions; to further global health equity and access, enabling the treatment of children and the training of medical teams across the world; and to continue to push the boundaries of medical innovation and research.

Established in 2018 by Dr Noor Ul Owase Jeelani, a leading British-Kashmiri neurosurgeon, Gemini Untwined has partnered with some of the world’s most renowned paediatric care facilities to carry out life-saving operations for craniopagus twins.

1 in 60,000

births result in a set of conjoined twins

5%

of those birth are craniopagus twins

How we do it

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Conjoined twins are very rare and only five per cent are joined at the head with fused skulls. Of this number, approximately 40%
are stillborn or die during labour, while one third die within 24 hours. Sadly, 78% die by the age of one and 90% die by the age of 10.

We are here to defy these odds

When a set of craniopagus twins (CPT) are born, the first step is to undertake detailed imaging of their brains, which include CT and MRI scans, as well as functional blood flow studies. In addition, the twins undergo a complete check to ensure that there are
no other problems with the rest of their bodies, including a check of their cardiac and renal function. Afterwards, the medical team assesses the urgency for separation. This is primarily dictated by the imbalance of blood supply between the twins. The optimal
age for separation is between 6 and 12 months of life.

Once the detailed imaging and assessments are undertaken, the next step is to hold a multidisciplinary meeting with specialists from different fields, such as: nurses, allied health professionals, engineers, and biomedical researchers. They collate data to make 3D and virtual reality models of the twins’ brains. The multidisciplinary team then studies the anatomy in great detail.

In our experience, the safest way to proceed is to undertake multiple- staged operations allowing the two babies to heal and recuperate between the various stages. We typically perform the surgery over 4 or 5 procedures, with a few weeks
between each stage.

Following the surgical process, some time is required for tissue healing and a longer period is required for rehabilitation. These children have typically never sat up, crawled, or walked before. As such, intensive rehabilitation is necessary to ensure that we deliver two healthy children back to their families at the end of this complex process.

Meet the twins

An image of Arthur and Bernardo, craniopagus twins, before their separation surgery. They are being held up by their parents and a doctor, and are on a hospital bed.

Meet the twins: Arthur and Bernardo

Case Study: Arthur & Bernardo 2022 Our mission at Gemini Untwined is to empower medical teams around the world with …

Attendees at the Gemini Untwined fundraiser, including Dr. Jeelani, pose for a group photograph. They are in the Wellcome Collection. A staircase with a red carpet lies in the background.

Gemini Untwined recently hosted its very first fundraiser

Gemini Untwined’s First Fundraiser Gemini Untwined recently hosted its very first fundraiser – a private concert with internationally renowned violinists, …

An image of the Israeli twins post-surgery, lying in bed.

2021

Israeli Twins Case Study

Case Study: Israeli Twins In March 2021, we were contacted by the team at the Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba, …

2019

Yigit and Derman

Case study: Yigit and Derman After 3 sets of girls, this time we had 2 boys referred to us. They …

Testimonials

“Dr Jeelani’s selfless dedication and determination when assisting those so desperate for “a miracle” resonate in so many different ways and on so many different levels. Apart from his achievements, the spirit of healing that he embodies surely strikes a chord with countless people for a multitude of reasons. There is, however, one emotion common to all: gratitude.”

In September 2021, Gemini Untwined supported the team at Israel’s Soroka University Medical centre to perform the country’s first separation of craniopagus twins.

“I wish to express our highest gratitude from our team and Soroka University Medical Centre to Mr. Jeelani for his fantastic assistance and perfect teamwork we have done together. Personally speaking, I am deeply privileged for this opportunity to work with such a great surgeon. Of note, he also conquered the heart of our team with his magnificent personality and attitude and for that, I am forever in debt to Mr. Jeelani.”

In July 2020, the surgical team from Gemini Untwined successfully separated craniopagus twin boys Yigit and Derman from Turkey.

“As for our twins, they are still receiving high-level physical therapy at Ankara City Hospital after Dr. Jeelani’s excellent surgery, they have made great progress, they are able to continue their lives individually. Our goal is to make them even better. The twins’ parents are also very happy with the latest situation. They have a lot of greetings to the team, they always pray.”

“This is the first surgery of this complexity in Latin America and was made possible thanks to the leadership, expertise and infectious energy of Noor ul Owase Jeelani and the Gemini team. Since the parents of the boys came from their home in the Roraima region to Rio to seek our help two and a half years ago, they had become part of our family here in the hospital. We are delighted that the surgery went so well and the boys and their family have had such a life-changing outcome.”