What does HeLa stand for?
Henrietta Lacks (cells)
What color was Henrietta’s toenail polish?
red
Did She have a daughter?
2
Why did the author want to research HeLa?
Community college biology class - HeLa skimed over
How many children did Henrietta have?
5
Did the doctors inform Henrieta of the sale of her cells?
No
Why does her race matter?
The doctors did not treat African Americans with as much respect.
What was Henrietta’s husband’s name?
David Lacks (Day)
Who was the author supposed to meet with first?
Day’s son Sunny
Who did Henrietta go to live with when she was growing up?
Tommy Lacks
How fast did Henrietta’s cells double?
24 hours
Where did Henrietta grow up?
Clover, Virginia
How does her family feel about her cells today?
Enraged
Through which person did the author contact the family?
Roland Pattillo
Do patients own their tissue once leaving the hospital according to courts?
No, once they leave it behind, it becomes medical waste and is up for grabs.
What was the name of the scientist that headed the research of the cells?
Dr. George Gey
What level of education did Henrietta reach?
Sixth or seventh grade
How, other than being spouses, were Day and Henrietta related?
Cousins
What family member was the author able to meet with in person first?
Cootie
What did Crazy Joe change his name to?
Zakariyya
Where was the tumor?
cervix
What did she enjoy doing when Day left for work and the kids were asleep?
Dancing
What was Elise afflicted with?
epilepsy
What did Cliff show the author?
Henrietta’s unmarked grave
How many lawsuits did Miachle Cofield have?
150