03/01/2026
During Black History Month, we honor Henrietta Lacks — a woman whose legacy transformed modern medicine. In 1951, her cancer cells were taken without her knowledge or consent. Those cells became the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa cells, and were later mass-produced and sold to laboratories around the world to advance scientific research.
Her cells have contributed to breakthroughs in vaccines, cancer treatment, genetics, and countless life-saving therapies. Yet her story also reminds us of the ethical failures that occurred — and the importance of informed consent, patient rights, and equity in medical research.
This month, we not only celebrate her scientific impact, but we honor her humanity and ensure her name is remembered alongside the advancements her cells made possible.
