(WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 24, 2022) – Ron Lacks, a grandson of Henrietta Lacks, is hosting a 102nd Birthday Commemoration for his grandmother, Henrietta Lacks in Washington, DC at The Gather Spot located at 1720 I St., NW, Wash., D.C. on August 1st from 6 to 9 pm.
Henrietta Lacks was a Black woman whose cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line, the first immortalized human cell line and one of the most important cell lines in medical research. These cells were taken without her or her family’s knowledge in Baltimore.
Ron Lacks, who is an author and responsible for securing the legal services of Attorney Ben Crump in defending his grandmother’s legacy, was first interviewed – along with his wife – by this network in 2013: Bmorenews Exclusive: The HeLa Cells of Henrietta Lacks :: Ronnie & Hope Lacks’ Story. He has been advocating for her ever since.
Henrietta Lacks’ story is revered, especially by African Americans in Baltimore.
Congratulations on some dynamic moves, Ron!