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The Racial Equity Coalition is hosting a special conversation with author Ron Lacks, author of “Henrietta Lacks: The Untold Story” at Virginia Military Institute’s Preston Library on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 5:30 pm.
Lacks’ book tells the story behind the story of his grandmother, Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical cancer cells were retrieved in the 1950s without her knowledge or consent, and used to revolutionize biomedical science.
Readers of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” or those who have seen the movie, may think they know the whole story.
This is a chance to hear the family’s side, a spokeswoman said. Ron Lacks will join the event remotely to discuss the fight against the unjust enrichment of the pharmaceutical companies that continue to profit from Henrietta’s immortal cells, the recent legal settlement, and the inaccuracies and omissions in previous portrayals of her story.
This event is free and open to the public. Parking for Preston Library is available on the VMI parade ground.
The Racial Equity Coalition is composed of representatives from 50 Ways Rockbridge, Grace Episcopal Church, Maury River Friends Meeting, Rockbridge NAACP, and CARE Rockbridge.
