Truth Be Told Nonfiction Book Club

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Henrietta Lacks was a 31-year-old Black mother of five in Baltimore when she died of cervical cancer in 1951. Without her knowledge, doctors treating her at Johns Hopkins took tissue samples from her cervix for research. They spawned the first viable, indeed miraculously productive, cell line—known as HeLa. These cells have aided in medical discoveries from the polio vaccine to AIDS treatments. But her death and the importance of her cells had a devastating impact on her husband and children. Skloot tells a resonant story of the wonders of modern science and the ways it exploits the most vulnerable.

Moderated by Educator Susan Gomes. To participate and for details about meeting virtually or in-person, contact Cindy Haiken at chaiken@wallingfordlibrary.org.