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June Book Club: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
May 28
Earn 8.5 contact hours!
Register by Thursday, May 28th
Attend 4 virtual discussions at 7 pm on these Wednesdays: June 3, 10, 17, and 24
Complete Final Evaluation
Free for members, $50 for non-members
Details and registration at: https://conta.cc/4tlunBy
This bestselling nonfiction book by Rebecca Skloot tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor Black woman who, in 1951, was being treated for cervical cancer. Her cancer cells were taken without her knowledge and harvested for research.
Named HeLa, the cells live on as a critical tool (hence “immortal”). They have led to significant breatkthroughs in medicine and science. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have made immense profits. Yet the family of Henrietta lived in poverty, and they received no financial compensation. Her remains were buried in an unmarked grave.
The treatment of Henrietta Lacks and her family shows how such treatment shapes current mistrust, disparities, and the need for advocacy and culturally responsive care. The themes of ethics, racism, patient dignity, and the responsibility of healthcare professionals are central to modern nursing; those themes shape how nurses practice, advocate, and build trust. You will gain essential knowledge and understanding from this activity, so register now.