Stories of Heroes That Will Make Your Day

Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks is indirectly responsible for creating the polio vaccine. Lacks had originally gone to John Hopkins for a lump near her cervix. After a biopsy, she discovered that she had cervical cancer. The cancer cells were multiplying at an alarming rate and, sadly, Lacks died before she could get treatment.After her death, however, the doctors sent her blood to many professionals including Jonas Salk. Using Lacks’ blood, Salk created the polio vaccine, which has saved many lives.