Henrietta Lacks
She is the unforgettable woman whose cancerous cells changed the course of science forever. She was a typical, poor Southern housewife in her small hometown of Clover, Virginia with a five children. When she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, doctors took some of her cells from her tumor and they became the first "immortal" cells to grow in culture. Now, even though her body has died, she will live on forever through these cells and our world will continue to benefit from her.
Deborah "Dale" Lacks
Deborah Lacks is Henrietta's youngest daughter, who was only one year old when Henrietta died. She grew up constantly wondering who her mother was and her life story, something no one was able or willing to tell her. She becomes a main voice in the story for Rebecca Skloot, representing her family in their discovery of Henrietta's cells and the betrayal they feel because of it.
George Gey
George Gey was a scientist who worked in the Tissue Culture Laboratory at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He created the first line of immortal human cells, HeLa, from Henrietta Lacks. He later died of pancreatic cancer.
Howard Jones
Howard Jones was the doctor who diagnosed and treated of Henrietta Lacks of her cervical cancer. he took the sample from her tumor which was then given to George Gey.
Lawrence, Sonny, and Zakariyya
Lawrence, Sonny, and Zakariyya are Henrietta's sons. Their insights and opinions become an important part in understanding Henrietta's life and the widespread development of HeLa cells.