By Bailey Torres
Staff Writer
Kim Lacks and Veronica Spencer presented the story of Henrietta Lacks and the immortal HeLa cells taken from a cancerous tumor within Henrietta’s body.
The “Meet the Lacks Family” event took place in Doré Theatre at California State University, Bakersfield on Oct. 17 and was a part of the One Book, One Bakersfield, One Kern project. The project chose to read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot, which is also the CSUB First Year Experience Runner Reader book this fall.
The event consisted of a talk moderated by Colleen Dillaway, director of public affairs and communications at CSUB, a question and answer session, and a culminating book signing.Lacks and Spencer told the story of Henrietta, Kim’s grandmother and Veronica’s great-grandmother, whose cells were taken from her body without her consent shortly before her death from cervical cancer in 1951.
Henrietta’s cells, now known as HeLa, have been used throughout the years in ground breaking medical research, such as the creation of the polio vaccine and gene mapping.For many years, the Lacks family had no knowledge of Henrietta’s contribution to science and medicine, and Kim said the family was shocked by the news.
Spencer stated that the doctor who took her great-grandmother’s cells took “the cells of others too, her cells just lived.”
Spencer stated, “We are not happy about what happened,” and Johns Hopkins “doesn’t take responsibility and has not said sorry.”
Also, the family has never received compensation for the HeLa cells. Despite it all, Kim said, “It makes us feel good to know her cells help.”
Spencer added that her great grandma lives again through her cells and they “give us a voice.” Spencer stated that she believes her family’s socioeconomic status and lack of education played a big part in Henrietta’s cells being taken and used for research without the family’s consent. Spencer spoke at length about the importance of education.
She urged the audience to “keep going to school.” Kim added, “Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor if you are unsure.”
One of the final questions of the night was regarding Henrietta’s legacy.
Kim said, “It’s the cell that keeps on giving. Everyone is affected by HeLa in this room.”
Spencer said she feels the use of her great-grandmother’s cells is proof that “everyone is significant.”
Sonali Katiyal, a freshman music major, has read the book and said, “It is very easy to understand and enjoy.”
Katiyal explained that before the event she “thought of it as just a cell, but coming here you get to know them as real people.”
She added that the Lacks family “so inspiring with all that they do.”
