"She was my loving mother. I'm Henrietta's eldest son. We are CELLebrating her 100th birthday and all the good things she has done for the world, to let everyone know we are so proud of her." Lawrence Lacks, Sr., Son of Henrietta Lacks
"My journey with Henrietta Lacks and her family began in 1951, and the intersection of our lives continues to drive my commitment to end suffering from disease. As we embark on the next step of our journey, I am honored to serve as the Chair of the CELLebrating Henrietta Lacks Centennial Commission. I commend the Lacks family for leading this historic yearlong effort – continuing on together with the passion and fire to ensure future researchers, clinicians, educators, artists, and policymakers recognize Henrietta Lacks’ contributions to the world.”
Dr. Roland Pattillo, Chair, CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks Centennial Commission
“Henrietta Lacks’ HeLa cells contributed to scientific breakthroughs that transformed the world – and they continue to save many lives, even those who are unaware of her existence. Now, as we mark the Centennial of our grandmother’s birth, we invite the world to honor her incontestable impact. You have had your health protected, improved, or possibly saved by Henrietta’s tremendous contributions to science. She has made the impossible possible. She has saved lives.”
Jeri Lacks Whye & David Lacks Jr., Grandchildren of Henrietta Lacks; Co-Founders, CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks
"My journey with Henrietta Lacks and her family began in 1951, and the intersection of our lives continues to drive my commitment to end suffering from disease. As we embark on the next step of our journey, I am honored to serve as the Chair of the CELLebrating Henrietta Lacks Centennial Commission. I commend the Lacks family for leading this historic yearlong effort – continuing on together with the passion and fire to ensure future researchers, clinicians, educators, artists, and policymakers recognize Henrietta Lacks’ contributions to the world.”
Dr. Roland Pattillo, Chair, CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks Centennial Commission
“because she is the matriarch of our family and the matriarch of modern medicine. Her presence on this earth made it possible for a lot of other people to be here, due to treatments developed through her HeLa cells."
David Lacks, Jr., Grandson of Henrietta Lacks; Co-Founder, CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks
"because she is my amazing grandmother who has a powerful story that needs to recognized and honored."
Jeri Lacks Whye, Granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks; Co-Founder, CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks
"because Henrietta was my mother in law, who made an amazing, awesome contribution to mankind. And, also Deborah Lacks, her daughter, wanted the world to know her mother and her mother’s contribution to the world."
Shirely Lacks, Daughter-in-Law of Henrietta Lacks
"because her cells helped, and still help medical advances. Her legacy means so much to the world, and it must be acknowledged."
Nia Imani Franklin, Miss America 2019; Founder, ComposeHer
"because we should never forget the extraordinary contributions of one woman who changed the course of science and history forever!"
Kim Beer, HELA100 Advisor; Director, Public Policy, Reeve Foundation
"because she is the original black girl magic!"
Shyrea Thompson, Collaborator, The Lacks Family; Principal, The IRIS Collaborative
"because her contribution to the world and our family legacy is endless. My great-grandmother is a reminder of African Americans' contributions to a world we are still fighting to be accepted in. She's a reminder that race does not determine our legacy nor the impact we continue to make in society."
Veronica Robinson, Great-Granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks
"As a Black British artist, I feel it’s my duty to use my art to fight for equality for the Lacks family and have done for over two decades with no funding. The time is now for Europe and America to come to terms with its colonial past and address the pain exploitation and atrocities that it has inflicted upon black people. Henrietta’s story is woven into this very fabric. Be that impetus for change, don’t wait for the funders to control your narrative. As Sam Cook states “Change can come, but frustrated silence or anger that alienates potential advocates could move it out of reach yet again”. Make sure you are on the right side of history. "
Helen Wilson-Roe, Black British Artist
"The world has a lot to thank Henrietta Lacks for. It should be a celebration that is held globally, if you consider her contribution. For the first time ever, the world has an opportunity to eliminate a cancer – cervical cancer, which took her life – and that’s thanks in large part to Henrietta Lacks’ cells. We should honor her legacy by working to make these innovations equitably available to all who need them."
Dr. Princess Nothemba Simelela, Special Adviser to the Director-General, Strategic Programmatic Priorities, World Health Organization
"All girls and women have the right to be informed. Access to quality medical care is important to eliminating cervical cancer. Nearly 90% of women who die from cervical cancer have limited access to prevention, screening and treatment."
Jeri Lacks Whye, Granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks; Co-Founder, CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks
"We advocate to save lives. Our grandmother's life was cut short by cervical cancer. Her HeLa Cells were used to create the HPV vaccine, which we know saves lives. We call upon global and industry leaders to honor Henrietta Lacks by providing equal access to all women and girls to cervical cancer education, screening and treatment. "
Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr., Grandson of Henrietta Lacks; President & Founder, Henrietta Lacks House of Healing
"United worldwide for real change.The Lacks Family is uniting with global leaders and advocates around the world to uliminate cervical cancer by 2030. We are honored to stand with the World Health Organization and Dr. Princess Nothemba Simelela in support of the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer."
David Lacks, Jr., Grandson of Henrietta Lacks; Co-Founder, CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks
"This year marks Henrietta Lacks’ 100th birthday, and we are proud of all the good that she has done for the world. While Henrietta Lacks’ HeLa cells were taken without her knowledge or consent, her contribution has had a significant and wide-reaching scientific impact.
The Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act honors and builds on my mother’s legacy by helping to ensure communities of color have more equitable access to advances in cancer treatment."
Lawrence Lacks, Sr., Henrietta Lacks’ Eldest Son
"My family stands proud of the Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act. In life, she was my loving mother, and in death, she unknowingly became the Mother of Modern Medicine. My mother’s HeLa cells were taken without her knowledge or consent - her contributions once hidden, are now being rightfully honored for their global impact. As the world celebrates Henrietta Lacks’ 100th birthday, it is only fitting that this law builds upon her legacy by ensuring equitable access to advances in cancer treatment for all people."
Lawrence Lacks, Sr., Henrietta Lacks’ Eldest Son
"The announcement regarding Johns Hopkins reflects the very heart of the matter of historical injustices, medical racism, and the need for transparency. Diversity, equity, and inclusion cannot be addressed without first acknowledging and having honest conversations about the role institutions have played in systemic racism. My family is reclaiming our story by honoring Henrietta Lacks' legacy to dispel fear and medical mistrust, to ultimately increase access to medical innovations, and reduce health disparities. We cannot achieve health equity without addressing inequities. As we advance the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, we must take action to end the legacy of racial injustice.”
Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr., Grandson of Henrietta Lacks
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