Scientists had no idea the cells they took from a Baltimore woman?s tumor in 1951 would be so valuable some day. Before she died of cervical cancer at age 30, the woman had no idea the cells were taken, and, until years later, neither did her family. Monday night at the Kohl Center, science writer Rebecca Skloot shared with hundreds of people the story about the woman whose family she spent 10 years working with to write her book, ?The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.? Skloot?s visit was part of UW-Madison?s Go Big Read program, a book program meant to engage students, faculty, staff and community members. It was initiated by Chancellor Biddy Martin.
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