Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman diagnosed with cervical cancer. She had many children before she was diagnosed. She received treatment, but it was not enough. In 1951, Lacks died. Before she died, her doctor took some of her cells, healthy and cancer cells, for research. Most cells die after they are taken from the body. But not Lacks'. Her cells continued to live, grow, and reproduce, even after 60 years, making them immortal. Researchers have been able to study her cells and create different vaccines. Because of Lacks' contribution to science, many people have been able to live.