Henrietta Lacks

Your name was unknown for decades galore

But your cells kept on living, just like before 

Giving scientists insight to what life was in store 

The world of medicine and science, they all owe you more

Henrietta Lacks's cancer cells, taken without her permission by researchers, became the foundation of modern biomedical research. Her family struggles with the complicated legacy of their loved one; Henrietta was the source of great good, but the lack of control and theft cut deeply. To them, Henrietta was a wife, mother, and real person with dreams, wants, and accomplishments. To have her legacy figuretively and literally reduced to a test tube. 

How does this affect the personal memories they hold of her?  

What does it mean to control our legacies? 

Is it an exercise in futility to even try? 

The digital age urges us to tightly control of image in life; how does this follow in death?