WHO appoints black family as Cancer Goodwill Ambassadors

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed the family of Henrietta Lacks as WHO Goodwill Ambassadors for cervical cancer elimination.

Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the agency, announced at the ongoing World Health Summit in Berlin, hosted by the presidents of Germany, France and Senegal.

He said that the appointment was in a recognition of their efforts to champion cervical cancer prevention and to preserve the memory of Henrietta Lacks, who died from cervical cancer in 1951.

Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman, died in 1951 from the disease but left behind an extraordinary legacy through the unique properties of her cancer cells, which became the first “immortal” cell line, able to replicate outside the human body, providing countless medical breakthroughs since then.

The so-called HeLa cells were taken from her without her knowledge or consent: “Much like the injustice of Henrietta Lacks’ story, women all over the world from racial and minority ethnic groups, face disproportionately higher risks from cervical cancer,” Ghebreyesus said.

“WHO’s goal is to eliminate cervical cancer, which means the innovations created”, with her cells, “must be made available equitably to all women and girls.

“We look forward to working with the Lacks family to raise awareness on cervical cancer and advance racial equity in health and science.”

Ghebreyesus, therefore, welcomed the family of Henrietta Lacks for a special dialogue at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

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

On behalf of the Lacks family, Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr. said, “Today, I humbly accept this honour to serve as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Cervical Cancer Elimination in the spirit of my mother – Deborah Lacks, who lost her mother, Henrietta, to Cervical Cancer, and worked to make certain the world recognises 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 wife, mother, or sister dies needlessly from cervical cancer.”

NAN