Recognizing Her Legacy Across the World
HELA100: The Henrietta Lacks Initiative
HONORING HERSTORY
Born in rural Roanoke, Virginia, on August 1, 1920, Henrietta Lacks, an Black woman, wife, mother of five, and resident of Turner Station, Maryland, would unknowing become the “Mother of Modern Medicine,” changing the world with her immortal HeLa cells.
Henrietta's HeLa cells, taken without her or her family's knowledge or consent, would become responsible for some of the greatest scientific advancements of the last century and continue to benefit all of humanity.
CONTINUING A WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT
August 1, 2020, Henrietta Lacks’100th birthday, marked the launch of The Lacks Family-led year-long “HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Centennial CELLebration”.
In honor of Henrietta Lacks’101st birthday, The Lacks Family announced the advancement of their philanthropic effort “HELA100: The Henrietta Lacks Initiative”.
This year HELA100 commemorates 70 years since Henrietta Lacks’ HeLa cells changed the world and her untimely death on October 4, 1951.
HELA100 educates future generations on the impact of Henrietta Lacks’ HeLa cells while promoting health equity and social justice.
SAVE THE DATE: HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Annual CELLebration
Friday, July 29, Saturday, July 30 & Sunday, July 31, 2022
Baltimore, Maryland
Save the date to join The Lacks Family in person next year, in 2022 for the three-day conference in Baltimore, Maryland includes a tour of Henrietta’s neighborhood, welcome reception, Tweetup, art exhibit, scavenger hunt, movie screening, expert panels, fireside chats, keynote conversations, an awards luncheon, pop-up shop, an evening birthday soiree, and culminating gospel CELLebration Brunch.
Attendees will have the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Medical Education (CMEs) while hearing from Henrietta’s descendants, celebrities, and social media influencers.
Follow us @CELLebrateHeLa on social media and share using #HELA100.
Join the conversation to celebrate Henrietta Lacks and learn more about HELA100.
For information on sponsorship, collaborations, and media, email hela@irisimpact.org.
