Hi Friend,
Today is Henrietta Lacks Day, a day of remembrance and celebration of the "Mother of Modern Medicine". This morning, I will lead the unveiling of a magnificent bronze statue of Henrietta Lacks, a Roanoke-born woman whose extraordinary contributions to science have had a profound impact on the world.
As Vice-Mayor of Roanoke, I led the campaign to raise awareness and funds for the statue's creation. We will gather at 11am at Henrietta Lacks Plaza in Downtown Roanoke with local officials, sponsors, citizens, and the Lacks family to unveil the statue of Mrs. Lacks sculpted by Larry Bechtel based on the drawings of Bryce Cobbs. This is a proud day for Roanoke.
I invite you to read this article in the Cardinal News about the project from its inception to unveiling. Here are a couple of brief snippets:
White-Boyd led the drive for the entire project, both the “Hidden Histories” documentary and the Lacks statue. She’d been hearing about Henrietta Lacks’ story for years. “A lot of us have always had a lot of respect for her and her story, that history,” she said. “When I got on council, that was one of the things that I was determined to do.”
“This historic moment, occasion has been a long time coming,” Ron Lacks said. White-Boyd and the committee “were the first ones to ever reach out to the Lacks family before starting this project. This means a lot to my family. This is very exciting and I will be looking forward to the unveiling of the finished sculpture that will honor her forever in this beautiful city.”
Henrietta Lacks, known for her immortal HeLa cells, has left an indelible mark on the field of medical research. Her cells, harvested without her knowledge or consent in 1951, have been instrumental in countless medical breakthroughs, including the development of vaccines, cancer treatments, and the study of genetics. This day is not only a tribute to Henrietta Lacks but also an opportunity to recognize the ethical concerns surrounding medical research and patient rights.
Here are the details for Henrietta Lacks Day and the statue unveiling:
Date: October 4th, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Henrietta Lack Plaza, Roanoke, VA (plaza across from the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building)
There are so many people that have my appreciation for their hard work to make this vision a reality. To all of the volunteers, sponsors, artists, partners, and elected officials; thank you! I invite you, your friends, and your family to join us as we pay tribute to Henrietta Lacks and her invaluable contributions to science and medical research.
Sincerely,
Trish
