I applaud CL for adding features like this that enlighten us all. Thank you!

very interesting. you learn something new everyday. this is the type of stuff that kids she be learning about.

yea i think it is reli good to let us know bout all this black people that contributed to world it makes me proud!!! RIP Henrietta Lacks

Is there anyway to fix the fact that the entire article isn’t shown?

Wow, I am speechless…this is an amazing part of our Science history, yet my heart goes out to her family.

P.S. CONCRETE LOOP….What’s the deal with the left side of the screen?? Can ya’ll do something with these margins? It’s been this way for weeks.

Thank you

Very interesting article CL. Keep it up.

Knowledge is power, and this wonderful story that needed to be told. I applaud CL!

Wow thanks this was truly an inspirational story. Its amazing to me how there are only 6 comments above mine but had this been about Beyonce, Rihanna, Chris Brown etc there would have been 45+ by now.
D

PDS. There appears to be a problem with my left margins as well.

Wow, I’ve never heard this story before. Thanks CL.

Correction there were 8 comments above mine.

Interesting indeed….

I learned about the “HeLa” cells in my undergraduate biology courses but I never put a face to the name. Those cells have and are still allowing scientists to make great strides in understanding the exact nature of cancer thus leading them closer to a discovery for a cure.

This story and the story on the congolese man have both been really enlightening… i can’t believe there’s african american history out there like this that i’ve never heard about or never could have imagined.

Buried w/o a tombstone? Wow! I’m surprised that no one has purchased a tombstone for her, and I know that someone somewhere is benefiting from the use of her cells. Thanks for the info CL!

very intresting

Thanks for educating us about us. I see not alot of people rushed to comment on this post. They rather read about the destruction of another life than to read about something positive that has happened in our community.

Where are our priorities in life? Any CL I didn’t want to make a comment either only because the left side of the screen is annoying the heck out me. Please fix this problem.

This is a great article I have never heard of Henrietta Lacks before and every time I learn something new about black history I get a lil’ upset that these facts weren’t in the books that we use in school. People are aware of who the cells came from so the Lack’s family should get some kinda of payment for their mother’s cells especially since they are still being used ’til this day!!

If you are having issues with the margins, e-mail me at j@jdakar.com with answers to the following questions:
1. What is your browser?
2. What is your screen resolution?
3. What is your operating system?

We’ve asked numerous times for this information, but no one has replied.

We can’t fix the problem unless we know what’s causing it and we can’t know that unless we know your browsing environment.

Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar

Wow that story is interesting. Does anyone know if the problem has been solved with the tombstone. Has the family challenged the medical institutions- are they able to?? Yea h, I have problems with my computer and the left margins at work. but not at home on my mac.

This is an awesome story. I am a graduate student and have worked with those cells. I looked it up in a molecular biology book and it just acknowledges the origin as coming from a cervical tumor. No name or anything. It just makes you think. Thanks for the information.

I’m beyond amazed, I heard the story and never knew about her . this woman did a great thing for the whole world!!!!!!!!!!!! she saved millions of people by her death and suffering. You never know what god put you on this earth to do ( sends chills down my spine) you may have to die to save millions of peoples lives. I find it unfair that they have not been rewarded millions of dollars because of this discovery. i would highly recommand they get an attroney and find out their rights. It’s a shame that a woman who helped save nations of peoples from a crippling disease like polio is not properly aknowledge without even a tomb stone. her suffering saved lives, thank god for her. It just shows that are skin does not play a role in who we are, we can all change the world. Please get this woman a tomb stone

They are so many of our people who are behind inventions and discoveries that we barely get any credit or recognition for, so thank you for sharing this information.

If Damn this is a new post..what do you expect..29382932930 comments in one minute? Dag some of you CL ppl are really annoying.

t the margin issue is getting a tad ridiculous..pls fix..and it is truly sad that there are only 18 comments on such a profound story..thanks cl!

Everyone should read “Medical Apartheid” by Harriet Jacobs and learn about how Black bodies have been abused by the medical establishment for hundreds of years (and it continues today)

I just sent you an email Mr. Dakar…Let’s work this thing out shall we?

wow
i didn’t know that
thanx CL!!!

>>>> Dang that is deep, but IDK if they will get any money I mean its like the article
>>>>>said. Everything is property of the physician and the hospital after the surgery
>>>>>You know they gonna have lawyers playing that card all day. There probably
>>> was something in the paperwork she signed that stated that before the surgery

>>>Plus if she was alive would she really want the money I mean she saved lives
>>>>thats a reward in itself. Everything shouldnt be done for monetary gain.

>>>Plus the husband wasnt even gonna release the cells so there went the money if
>>>there was any to even be offered.

Dang! That was juicy, gr8 post and amazing story CL

wow this is an amazing story.

Thanks for the information! She has helped save a lot of lives. Her family should be proud, and her name/story should be referenced in all human anatomy/oncology textbooks.

thank you for this article.

Well it’s showing up fine for me. I’m using firefox, on windows xp. I’m also using a laptop with a widescreen, and I’ve noticed in the past that things I’m able to view on a widescreen aren’t easily viewable on the traditional PC monitor. Since the side toolbar is kind of wide and take up half the page I’d imagine that it must be a real PITA for most.

But back to the original topic…

Thanks J. The politics and history post are pretty much the main reason for why I visit CL.

That was a truly inspirational story. truly gave me chills, talk about having a purpose in life. I am surprised that I never knew that story.

By the way if you want to check out how the site looks in other browsers beside the browsers thats on your local web development computer check out http://browsershots.org. They will test your page in dozens of browsers for free.

hip Hop Business from another level

This was a great story. It is very shameful that no one within the scientific community has come forward with the news in such a way that everyone would know.

Thanks CL

I’m sorry but the Lack’s do deserve some money. i’m not saying an extremely huge lump sum of money, but a nice reasonable sum of money. this was a very interesting story. just to show that even after death you can have a huge impact on other peoples lives……….AND IT IS SAD THAT PEOPLE CAN PUT 248 COMMENTS IN ABOOUT WHAT TEN MINUTES ABOUT A BEYONCE SONG BUT DON’T HAVE NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS. IT JUST SHOWS WHERE PEOPLE’S PRIORITIES ARE AT. anyways thank you J.Dakar for this post.

Glad that you put this out there. Everyday I learn something new. It’s crazy how they have been doing stuff like this to us for centuries. Her family and her name should atleast receive some type of recognition or a medical building named after her or something. Buy that woman a tombstone. Her pain has saved countless lives and these doctors get all of the glory. That’s why I don’t trust them now.

An amazing story.

The Polio Vaccine was how AIDS started and spread in Africa, but this is still a great contribution that blacks, albeit unknowingly, have made to society. THEY will never teach us these things though. Good job CL!

That was a great informational piece. I am a HIV researcher and use these cells routinely for my assays. This is amazing. I always wondered why no one had an explanation for the lettering in the nomenclature (i.e., HeLa). That is distinct and would normally have a sensible explanation, which it obviously does, but up until now was unknown to me. This is a true, heartwrenching example of reach one, teach one. I am a little embarassed that I did not know this fact myself. Applause CL. I truly applaud this post.

this is so fascinating…

Another example of the many IMPORTANT contributions to the WORLD that African Americans or blacks have made. I am also sure that many people have profited financially off selling Mrs. Lack’s cells. The least they could have done is paid for her to be buried.

When you hear of revolutionary medicine, we almost always hear about White Americans, or Europeans, or any other race other than African Americans. We all have the responsibility to learn about our history and educate others as well. Maybe in time both Henrietta and The Lack family deserves.

I have a bunch of emotions running through me right now.

Wow, its so sad this woman died at 31, but thank God that her cells were able to be used for the benefit of medicine. God really does work in mysterious ways.

And who said blogs can’t educate and entertain at the same time? Keep ot up J. Dakar and The Loop.

The scientific world would not have made the progress in cancer research or polio If not for Mrs. Lacks’ cells. Thank you J. Dakar for posting this story. I’m happy to hear more stories of this nature will be forthcoming. Keep up the good work CL!

Poor Henrietta, all that suffering and no credit. And some people are mad that blacks have a special month for their history.

I really appreciate you guys for posting these segments. They are SO very informative. Makes me proud to be African American (sometimes that is HARD to say)….

Thanks CL for the Interesting fact. . .

Thank you for enlightening us about this obviously strong black woman. I only pray her pain did not last for long. And, if no one has said it yet, Thank you Mrs. Lacks.

This is truly an interesting story!! Thanks so much for posting this.

Wow this an interesting story.

thanks CL… that was enlightening…you have once again inspired me =)

This is a wonderful articule. CL keep up the good work…

Wow. You learn something new everyday.This is truly an inspirational story. Thanks CL.

There is a strange coincidence in this post!
Right now, as you read I am working on a reasearch project about cancer! wowo lool Im doing some paper about nutrition in cancer patients and what not.. but what a coincidence

Thank you for blessing out generation with such great information about our history. I feel black history and the importance to future generations. Keep this information in the loop!!

This is new and refreshing to get info like this. I commend CL 4 going out on a limb and bringing some science 2 he mind instead of the usual gossip.

I agree with completely with comment number 1…I can’t help but smile; I grow to love CL more and more each day. Keep up the good work :o)

That was pretty fascinating…..but again, medical experimentation on black folks was the norm. Here’s another story

http://www.amazon.com/Acr...burg-Prison/dp/0415923360

This is a book about prison experiments, most specifically at Holmsburg Prison in Pennsylvania, that were predictably done mostly on black men.

This a link to the 2007 NY Times piece about it that suggested that it be allowed to happen again.

http://www.nytimes.com/20...ef=slogin&oref=slogin

There are so many stories out here….sad….

Thank you so much for this.

Like a few others here, and as a cancer researcher, I’ve also extensively worked with the HeLa cell line.

Just a slight correction to the info in the article, neither hospitals or physicians have a “right” to your tissues/fluids. Both are required by law to obtain your signed consent first, so be sure to read the fine print if you or a loved one ever needs medical services.

WOW……..thanks for this story J.Dakar……I never heard of Henrietta Lacks and her MAJOR contribution to medical science………it’s amazing that the Lacks family received no compensation for the use of their mothers cells……………

Now ain’t that somethin….more sad than surprising…we know how our people were treated…

Great job CONCRETE! I love black history, and had no knowledge of this one! Keep them coming weekly!!!

IF YOU NEVER KNEW, HOW WOULD YOU EVER LEARN…

j. dakar i really do love you…

oh wow.

Thank you for this one. Very very interesting! Thank you Henrietta. You unknowingly saved millions of people!

This was very insightful thank you J.Dakar

THANKS FOR THE ARTICLE…I LIVE IN ROANOKE AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS STORY….GREAT READ.

Thank you J.Dakar, thank you CL! This is so deep, I had to forward this story to others.

I am from Roanoke,VA and have never even heard any of this. Just goes to show how the establisment doesn’t want us to think African Americans have any part in history. Thanks for sheading some light CL

For those with the margin problems:

I have the margin problem with Internet Explorer, but it never happens with Mozilla Firefox

claps for concreteloop, shareing the knowledge, makin the unknown-known!!!

THIS WHY I LOVE THIS SITE U GET CELB NEWS/GOSSIP POLITICS AND HISTORY

Very insightful

Wow thanks again for the post. These topics are now my favorite ones. F the gossip Im all for the historical black facts. yay CL you did it agian.

I think its great what your doing. Your blog is not only about fashion and celebrities but you’ve also found a way to enlighten us a little about our cultures history. I have learned of black people and big events that occured in the United States that I’ve never heard of before. People that should be in our schools history books but are not.

-Thank you.

I’m enthralled by your black history post again. I want to be mad at everyone else, but maybe I should be upset with myself because its really sad that I had not had preexisting knowledge of most of the people you write about. Anyway, good job dude.

@ 59 yea i learned about the Syphillis study in my psych classes during underground you will be amazed @ how many studies have been done on black youth, either its wrongfully done or they surely do not recieve any credit…real shame!

I I iI use those ‘Hela’ cells often in my research… They are use to grow MANY viruses. Next to VERO cells.. Hela are most famous.

^used

This piece of history is more important than any piece of gossip I have read on this site. Talk about an incredible story.

A legacy indeed.

Wow… This is truly amazing.
An “Each One, Teach One” moment.
Thank You CL.

Now why wasn’t this in my Biology or Anatomy and Phisiology books? Thanks for the awsome posting!

Keep it up, CL! These black history high lights are appreciated and enjoyed.

Reading with my mouth hung open! God only knows what other African Americans somewhere without even a tombstone have done for the America and the world. And for this to not be in ANY bio books yet? wow

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!—so Amazing–its good to know about these remarkable people, and there contributions–especially the uncommon ones!

Thank You ConcreteLooppppppppppppppie

WHAT!?!??!? I am shocked and speechless. I’ve never heard of the HeLa cell. I can’t believe the family has not seen one penny of the money that had been from the cell of those cell.

Why does this women’s grave not have a head stone??? That’s crazy after everything that has been accomplished because of her. She deserves a head stone!!! A really big one. And we need to start renaming some street after her. This makes me so mad.

that was very interesting to read. i didnt know this.

Thank you so much for sharing.. This information was powerful and I appreciate you educating our people on the significant contributions our elders have made.

I am going to forward this to my teenage daughter… Thank you again

Some or all of the pharmaceutical companies, owes this family some serious dough! Look how many patent rights were created due to the research off her cells that turned into profit,but look at how they did Dr.Charles Drew the man who DISCOVERED blood plasma,only to die because he was black,they want to whitewash their shame by saying they treated him at the white hospital,but my family is four generations deep in D.C. from Georgetown to N.W. Washington,and we know that he died because he was black,not because of a car wreck!

I’m m using IE on Windows XP. Not sure of the resolution. I’ve had the problem for a while too.

GOf what i can see of the post, this is an excellent post and i never knew that either. i work for a clinical laboratory/pathology association and this is the type of information we, especially in health care, should all be aware of. CL - wonderful post.

Holy crap…not only is this informational, but also scarey! Can you imagine what might have happened if her cultures got into the hands of the wrong people?

This is a very intersting story. I live in Baltimore and it’s been long known here by older blacks that Hopkins has become famous based upon the poor blacks that encircle the medical institution. This story by no means is a shock to me, However, it is sad that the medical community has not put a face about Mrs Lacks.

Currently I am taking a microbiology class and I will bring this interesting story to the professors attention because all that you hear about is the men that developed the vaccine which was indeed in the early 50’s.

I do think that they need to be compensated, if not this story should be told on a national level. This woman who had 5 children has saved so many children through polio.

Because of the motility of her cells she is able to create so much, ie food, medicine, enviromental, and industrial. I am proud to know that Mrs Lacks has contributed.

Also she was a resident of Turner Station here an affluent black community during that era.

Link: http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/0400web/01.html

thanks for this information, her contribution was/is huge!

I LOVE this feature, please keep it coming.

What a great write up for a little known Black figure in history. Thanks for posting this!

I love hearing about new things everyday. Especially when it has to do with our culture. Its not enough people that care. I feel what CL is doing, straight up!!!!!

Thank you for providing black history that many of us (adults and children) weren’t and still aren’t exposed to. By telling this story, her death and family’s struggle is not in vain. Hopefully her HeLa cells will be the blueprint for a cure for all cancers and viruses. And to think- people assume we only have a month’s worth of black history…

Rest In Peace Henrietta Lacks

That was a really interesting piece. It is sad to think though that a woman who contributed so much to the world of science is resting in a grave without a tombstone. You would think that some of these colleges, researchers and scientists could pool some money together to buy the woman a proper headstone, maybe even some type of monument.

****** J. Dakar will you marry me…your brain turns me on!!! I need a man that can stimulate me intellectually!!! call me!!!!

all i can say is WOW! I am truly amazed. thanks CL!

Goodness, I never knew this. Thanks Concrete, you always stay ten steps ahead of the rest. And I totally agree with poster #77.

M This is a great story and a testaemate to the Lives that Mrs.Lacks has saved. i hope there is a way for her family to be compensated from the legacy that their mother has made to science and medicine. Believe me nothing can ever replace a mother’s love, but acknowlegement finacially would definietly benefit Mrs.Lacks family and continue the legacy that she has influenced. Someone should name a medical scholarship after her or something at least.

Now THIS is the type of thing that BET needs to share with it’s viewers! Why not “lace” a snippet of history between each video over and over so maybe our young would memorize something substantial and of worth more so than the words to some of these songs that don’t do a damn thing to raise their awareness of who they are and where they came from in this world!

Just a thought.

“Scurv”

You learn something new everyday. That was fascinating. We get screwed when it comes to the history books. What a shame……

This is why CL is one of my favorite blogs.

I’m a medical student, and like #40, I wondered why HeLa cells were so named. I’m in awe of this story. And I’m equally in awe that I finally learned of it on the Loop–not in class, but at CL. I’m definitely passing this on. Mr. Dakar, please keep info like this coming. Hats off to you guys!

GREAT POST, VERY INFORMATIVE. I GOT CHILLS WHEN I READ THIS STORY, IT REMINDS ME OF THE TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENT. I BELIEVE THAT LACKS FAMILY, SHOULD RECEIVE SOME COMPENSATION FOR THE CELL RESEARCH. IT WAS VERY DISRESPECTFUL FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, NOT INFORM THE FAMILY OF THIS MATTER, I MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS WAS BACK IN THE JIM CROW DAYS, HOW SAD.

AS I WAS SAYING: WONDER IF DEATH WAS “HELPED” ALONG! TUSKEEGEE”PROJECT” . VIRGINIA/VAGINA “PROJECT”! WOULDN’T PUT IT PASSED THEM!

@109

Exactly. If I be a betting man, the “treatment” that she received revolved around hastening her death to test the effects of the cancer cells. There is no need to mention her in their history because to them, she was just another test dummy. You can get a book called “Medical Apartheid” that expounds on that.

that was excellent!! Thank you CL for proving that blacks are interested in learning things that enlighten one’s mind.

Thanks for the information!! Knowledge is power!! Thanks CL for keeping us in tune!! I just love this site!!

This is very interesting. I’m actually from Roanoke, Va and I never heard about this. Thanks CL

Wow, that was amazing! It’s kind of scary also. I never thought about cells to last for years like that. Her family definitely deserves some type of reparations, especially since her husband said no to the cell sample.

Good job, CL! I’m almost not mad about the B. Scottgate because of this.

STOP THE HATE IN ‘08!!!!!!!!!

Thank you concrete loop! Having articles like this really make this site stand out far and above those other blogs(…bossip) making concrete loop in a league of its own.

Wow! I am 38 years old with a Master’s degree and had never heard of this story. This history was never tought in any of my history or science classes through almost 20 years of education. THANKS CL; YOU ARE A GREAT ASSET TO OUR LIVES!!!

OK Ok People there are more important things than money. The cells from this womans body has saved countless lives.

The honor is that her name should at least live in the history books. They should at least acknowledge her for who she was… This is my opinion.

Her fam should still get that lawyer though….

That was very interesting. Great feature.

Awesome post! They have done inumberable things by growing, testing, and SELLING her cells. It seems like they have saved lives and ended lives (started wars) from the knowledge they have gained. She should at least get a tombstone. Also, the husband, did not agree to release the cells. They took them anyhow. That is grounds for a lawsuit. If someone could take something without any penalty, why would they ask?

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even though this may be all late and i cant read all of whats typed to the left in these comments this is really something. Henrietta is my great-great-aunt and this makes me so happy to see she gets the recognition she deserves, this site is my new favorite.

I only need this site for my homework still younger than most of you old people JOKING!!!