Henrietta Lacks Family Named World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassadors to Eliminate Cervical Cancer

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus today named the Lacks family as WHO Goodwill Ambassadors for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer. This designation recognizes their efforts to advocate for the prevention of cervical cancer and preserves the memory of Henrietta Lacks, who died of cervical cancer in 1951.

The story of Henrietta Lacks is a story of injustice, with the enormous contribution she made to science hidden from the world for years. While she was seeking cancer treatment, researchers took biopsies from her body without her knowledge or consent. The cells they took, known as HeLa cells, later became the first “immortal” cell line – meaning they were the only cells that continued to live outside the human body and replicate.

Since the procedure was undertaken, those HeLa cells have contributed to countless medical breakthroughs, including the development of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, as well as research into COVID-19.

“Like the injustice of Henrietta Lacks’ story, women around the world from racial and ethnic minority groups face a disproportionately higher risk of cervical cancer,” said Dr. Tedros. “WHO’s goal is to eliminate cervical cancer, which means that the innovations created by Henrietta Lacks’ cells must be equally accessible to all women and girls. We look forward to working with the Lacks family to raise awareness about cervical cancer and advance racial equity in health and science.”

The family represented by Henrietta Lacks’ son, Lawrence Lacks Sr., and his granddaughters, Victoria Baptiste and Veronica Robinson; and Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr., grandson of Henrietta Lacks, accepted the appointment at the World Health Summit in Berlin, during a session titled “The Next Era for Cancer Control in Women.”

On behalf of the Lacks family, Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr. said: “Today I humbly accept this honor to serve as the World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in the spirit of my mother – Deborah Lacks, who lost her mother, Henrietta, to cervical cancer and worked to make the world recognize her impact . Our Hennie’s legacy lives on in us and we will continue to stand in solidarity with WHO, patients, survivors and families around the world to ensure that no other woman, mother or sister dies needlessly from cervical cancer.”

The Lacks family’s appointment as the World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassadors for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer adds momentum global strategy to eliminate cervical cancerlaunched by WHO in 2020. The global effort marks the first time ever that WHO member states have collectively committed to eliminating cancer.

The strategy lists three goals that countries should achieve by 2030: First, 90% of eligible girls should be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine. Second, 70% of women should be screened using a high-performance test. And third, 90% of women with precancerous tumors should have access to treatment, and 90% of women with invasive cancer should be treated appropriately, including access to palliative care.

Currently, one woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes. Almost 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries due to inadequate access to cancer prevention, diagnosis and care. Across all geographies, women in marginalized communities are disproportionately affected.

The Lacks family joins other WHO ambassadors, including Ivorian soccer player Didier Drogba, Brazilian soccer world champion Alisson Becker, Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term mayor of New York City, Cynthia Germanotta, president of the Born This Way Foundation and former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The embassy follows the awarding of a special posthumous award to Henrietta Lacks by WHO Director General, given to her family on her behalf in 2021. It reflects WHO’s continued commitment to the active participation of people affected by cervical cancer as a central part of efforts to eliminate it.

About Henrietta Lacks

As a young mother, Henrietta Lacks and her husband were raising five children near Baltimore when she became ill. She went to Johns Hopkins after experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding and was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Despite treatment, her life ended on October 4, 1951. She was only 31 years old.

During treatment, researchers took samples of her tumor. That “HeLa” cell line became a scientific breakthrough: the first immortal human cell line to divide indefinitely in the laboratory. The cells were mass produced, for profit, without the acknowledgment of her family. Over 50 million metric tons of HeLa cells have been distributed worldwide.

Along with the HPV vaccine, HeLa cells enabled the development of the polio vaccine; drugs for HIV, hemophilia, leukemia and Parkinson’s disease; advances in reproductive health, including in vitro fertilization; research into chromosomal conditions, cancer, gene mapping and precision medicine; and are used in studies of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawrence Lacks, the 87-year-old son of Mrs. Lacks, is one of the last living relatives who knew her personally. Mr. Lacks shares this honor with his granddaughters, Victoria Baptiste and Veronica Robinson, and his nephew, Alfred Lacks Carter Jr.

Lacks Family Quotes

Lawrence Lacks, Sr.

Son of Henrietta Lacks

“Thank you to the World Health Organization for the honor of appointing us as WHO Goodwill Ambassadors for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer. I am humbled to join my granddaughters Victoria and Veronica and my nephew Alfred in accepting this commitment in honor of my mother, Henrietta Lacks. I want to thank Dr Tedros, Dr Non and WHO for recognizing all the good my mother has done for the world.”

Victoria Baptiste, BSN, RN

A family descendant is missing

“As a registered nurse, I am deeply moved to accept this honor today to serve as the World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer. We know that cervical cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early – so I remain committed to this mission in honor of Henrietta Lacks, who helped make these discoveries possible. Together, we can end cervical cancer by educating, empowering and mobilizing patient advocates, healthcare providers, clinicians, researchers, community leaders and policymakers to increase prevention, screening and treatment worldwide.”

Veronica Robinson

A family descendant is missing

“As a patient advocate, I am committed to working with WHO to advance the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer and am grateful for the opportunity to serve as a goodwill ambassador. From our home in Baltimore, Maryland, to communities around the world, we are committed to taking action to end cervical cancer disparities. Henrietta’s HeLa cells contributed to life-saving innovations such as the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer treatment. As advocates, we call on global leaders, policymakers and civil society organizations to honor her legacy by ensuring equal access to cervical cancer education, screening, vaccination and treatment for all people.”