Henrietta Lacks Foundation

The Henrietta Lacks Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides support and stewardship for the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical cancer cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her consent in the 1950s and became vital for medical research. The foundation works to honor her contribution by assisting her family and ensuring ethical practices in biomedical research. It also promotes transparency, rights, and education around the uses of biological materials, aiming to acknowledge Henrietta's importance in science and to help her descendants with healthcare and educational opportunities related to her legacy.