Summary of Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks chronicles the life, death, and immortality of Henrietta Lacks, a young black woman whose cervical cancer cells became one of the most important factors in bringing about important scientific and medical advancements in the twentieth century. Her family, however, did not know until much later that researchers were using Henrietta's cells in their experiments. When the family learned the truth, they endured turmoil and heartache in the decades that followed. 

Henrietta grew up in Clover, Virginia, where she lived and worked on a tobacco farm with her grandfather, Tommy Lacks, and many cousins. One of these cousins was David "Day" Lacks, who would become her husband.

Henrietta and Day eventually moved to Turner Station so Day could get a more lucrative job at the steel mill, and together they had five children. Henrietta gave birth to Lawrence just after she turned...