WHITEVILLE – The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville is offering a special, free showing of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” Friday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.).
This HBO-original film depicts the discovery by Henrietta’s daughter (Oprah Winfrey) that her mother’s cancer cells had been used without her permission for medical research and explores the broader implications of this breach of medical ethics. This movie night and following discussion are held in celebration of Black History Month.
In 1951, a young mother of five named Henrietta Lacks was treated for cancer at Johns Hopkins, one of the few hospitals at the time that would treat Blacks. Her cancer cells were discovered to be unique: where other cells would die, Lacks’ cells doubled daily and indefinitely. Although Lacks ultimately passed away later that year, these “HeLa” cells have been and continue to be used in experiments from determining the long-term effects of radiation to developing the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Lacks and her family didn’t know the cell cultures existed until more than 20 years after her death. And these cells were commercialized and have generated millions of dollars in profit over the past 70 years for the medical researchers who patented her tissue.
After the film Friday, a discussion of medical ethics and racism will be led by Ms. Black North Carolina 2023 Tatyana Frink-Faulk. She is also a Chadbourn native and current medical student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (2017, 1h 33m) is rated TV-MA and intended for mature audiences only (17+). Snacks and drinks will be provided.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville, located at 415 South Madison Street, is a free science museum with interactive exhibits, outdoor learning and play areas, and collections featuring the nature of Southeastern NC. The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Museum provides group tours and classes, public events and programs, and rental space.
Contact the Museum at 910.788.5100 for more information.
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