Rebecca Skloot 2018

Rebecca Skloot is the author of New York Times best seller, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Skloot studied at the University of Pittsburgh, Colorado State, and Portland Community College. She has a B.S. in biological sciences and an MFA in creative nonfiction. She has taught creative writing and science journalism at the University of Memphis, the University of Pittsburgh and New York University. Prior to her work as an author, she made a living by working as a veterinary technician, spending time at private practices and shelters. Her debut book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks has been translated into 25+ languages and published internationally. The process of writing and researching for The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks took Skloot over 10 years to finish. Located in the Acknowledgements section of her book, Rebecca Skloot comments, "First and foremost, I owe endless thanks to Henrietta Lacks's family. Deborah was the soul of this book-her spirit, her laughter, her pain, her determination and her unbelievable strength were an inspiration that helped keep me working all these years" (Skloot 850). Rebecca largely credits the Lacks family for all their generosity and enthusiasm. "Thanks also to Christine Pleasant Tonkin, a distant relative of Henrietta Lacks who traced the Pleasant side of Henrietta's family back to its slave ancestors and generously shared her research with me; she also read the manuscript and provided many valuable suggestions"(Skloot 853). Currently residing in Chicago, Skloot is actively working on her next work regarding humans, animals, science and ethics (Rebecca Skloot Journalist, Teacher, Author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks). 

Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks https://i2.wp.com/www.theopennotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/skloot.jpg?ssl=1
The following exerpts are taken directly from the publication of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks to show the praise and recognitin Skloot recieved:

“Praise for Rebecca Skloot’s
The IMMORTAL LIFE of HENRIETTA LACKS

Winner of 2010 Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for Nonfiction
Winner of 2010 Wellcome Trust Book Prize
Winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Young Adult Science Book Award
Winner of Goodreads.com Readers Choice Award for Best Debut Author and
Best Nonfiction Book of the Year
Winner of BookBrowse.com Diamond Award for Best Book
Selected for More than Sixty Best of the Year Lists Including:
New York Times Notable Book
Entertainment Weekly #1 Nonfiction Book of the Year
New Yorker Reviewers’ Favorite
American Library Association Notable Book
People Top Ten Book of the Year
Washington Post Book World Top Ten Book of the Year
Salon.com Best Book of the Year
USA Today Ten Books We Loved Reading
O, The Oprah Magazine Top Ten Book of the Year
National Public Radio Best of the Bestsellers
Boston Globe Best Nonfiction Book of the Year
Financial Times Nonfiction Favorite
Los Angeles Times Critics’ Pick
Bloomberg Top Nonfiction”

Excerpt From
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks/id418646893?mt=11
This material may be protected by copyright.



Tweets:
View my twitter account here

1.
Hi I’m Rebecca Skloot! I’m the author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I’m an award winning science writer and have appeared in The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, Discover, Glamour, Prevention and more. This is my first book. #NHSHenrietta2018

It was important to introduce my character and establish my relationship with the book; the author, and with Henrietta and all the Lacks'. I included publications in my initial tweet to show credibility and how well known and regarded Rebecca Skloot is.

2.
I thought it would be extremely important to mention Jones & TeLinde collaborating over cervical cancer research. Perfect timing, as this was occurring when Henrietta was diagnosed. #NHSHenrietta2018

The goal of mentioning TeLinde and Jones in my tweet was to show cancer research's relevance to the story of Henrietta and to give a reference of the time period in which Henrietta was fighting cancer/going though treatments at Hopkins/the distribution of HeLa cells.

3.
The Lackses made a point about racial segregation “The white and the Black didn’t mix then, not like they do now, which I can’t say I like because I don’t think it’s for the best (316).” This was interesting to learn about while writing about Henrietta #NHSHenrietta2018

This quote was important to include in my tweets for Rebecca as it showed segregation and the role it played in healthcare. The goal of including this quote was to make my followers, classmates, think about the idea that Henrietta may have been treated differently if she wasn't colored. Would the procedures have been different? Do you think her cells would have been used without her permission or compensation?

4.
The houses and buildings in Lackes Country are dilapidated and completely run down. It was hard to experience. I wish they benefited from the HeLa cells. #NHSHenrietta2018

This quote displayed Skloot's empathy towards the Lack's and showed her devotion to the story and bringing awareness to the maltreatment of the Lacks's.

5.
Replying to @patillo_rolland
I understood your guarded reaction to my initial inquisition, however I think my persistence and the measures I took to make this story possible shows my authenticity. #NHSHenreitta2018

Again, this tweet was designed to show empathy and Skloot's understanding of many Lacks's frustration regarding the publicity of Henrietta's family and how many of her family members were tired and weary of outsiders probing into Henrietta's life.

6.
Replying to @Lacksh019
The goal of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is to bring justice and potentially raise awareness to the often times considered unethical use of HeLa cells. #NHSHenreitta2018

This quote was in response to Henrietta's tweet about her knowing something was wrong and no one believing her. It is aimed at the publication aspect of the tweet; that if more people knew about cervical cancer, they may advocate for themselves as well as Henrietta had or better.

7. 

Replying to @patillo_rolland
I can empathize with your feelings of frustration. I am persistent. But take my persistence as determination to set the record straight in honor of your friend, Henrietta. #NHSHenreitta2018

Skloot dealt with many set backs, the most common of which were when friends and family declined her request for talking about Henrietta. This tweet was written to show her passion for sharing Henrietta's story.

8. 
@Lacksh019 I wish I was given the opportunity to meet with you in person. Grab a coffee and and get your opinion on my story. Is there anything you’d add? Does this story do you justice adequately? #NHSHenreitta2018

Addressed to Henrietta, this tweet is meant to show how Rebecca might have met with the individuals and interviewed them; at a coffee shop or some relaxed environment. She also cares to see if Henrietta would support her work. 

9. 
Please check this link out - you’ll find information about me, my background, credibility and other interesting author facts :)


This link is all about Rebecca as a person, author, and contains detailed information about her life, her work as an author, prior to writing, and of course Henrietta Lacks.

10. 
I’ve attached an incredibly informative article from the American Cancer Society on Cervical Cancer. Cervical Cancer is considered rare, with under 200,000 cases reported yearly.

I felt it was important to include an American Cancer Society link regarding Cervical Cancer for my classmates to read as it offers insightful and relevant information of the disease Henrietta had.

11.
What was the hardest part for you? The racial barrier seemed to have significant effect on the treatment of Henrietta and your family. Why do you blame Hopkins? I’d like to hear your side again.

This tweet, addressed to David Lacks, Henrietta's cousin and spouse, was to initiate conversation amongst the class and to see the perspective of David. It also contains contextual clues such as the name of the hospital Henrietta received treatment at and touches on racial discrimination.

12.
One of the worst parts about writing this book was empathizing so strongly with the Lackeses. I felt so sad for Elsie. She was dealing with what was most likely epilepsy. Check this link out to research more on the condition.

This tweet displays Skloot's empathy and how learning about the Lack's directly impacted her life. After all, she did devote 10+ years of her life to the publication of their story. The link provides the reader an option to learn more about the symptoms, treatments and other information regarding epilepsy.

13.
A group of inmates at the Ohio Penitentiary responded “I believe the wrong that I have done, in the eyes of society, this might make a right on it (Skloot 337)” when asked why they had volunteered with the trial. Were these men fully aware of the risks?

This quote showed the significance of HeLa cells in research but also the potential lack of communication between trial participants and researchers.

14.
Replying to  
Everyone had reservations, but I was able to win most over.... there were exceptions...

This quote disclosed not everyone Skloot set out to interview was in favor of the book or wanted to be interviewed about Henrietta and the impact her cells had on her family members.

15.
Unfortunately it’s all about profit and little about morality. It’s a shame really.
Replying to @Lacksh019
Your legacy is amazing mother, but the men behind it are sick. I'll do all I can to make it know 😇😘
This tweet is self-explanatory. The mass production of HeLa cells was unethical. 

16. 
Trying to bring light to the fact Henrietta’s children cannot afford healthcare when their mothers cells, HeLa, are virtually everywhere in labs!!! Someone explain how this is fair?!

This tweet shows Rebecca's frustration with the situation; that millions of dollars were being made off the HeLa cells, but Henrietta's family was poor and count afford healthcare. 

17. 
What is more infuriating? That the scientists don’t know your mothers story - the story behind HeLa - or, the fact that none of your family profited from the mass distribution of HeLa cells?

Aimed at Deborah Lacks, this tweet was written to get an opinion on which tragedy was more infuriating. 



Responding to, "I think people are morally obligated to allow their bits and pieces to be used to advance knowledge to help others. Since everybody benefits, everybody can accept the small risks of having their tissue scraps used in research." David Korn, Harvard University. 

I disagree with the above statement. The use of someone's physical being, without specific permission, should not be allowed. Your body is no one's but your own. We are taught that from a very young age. For example, in life, you wouldn't take someone's clothing without getting permission first. The argument Korn uses in this quote is that people are 'morally obligated' to allow scientists or whomever to experiment and conduct research with their tissue. I disagree. He claims 'everybody benefits' and because it is a mutual benefit for everyone involved, people should assume the risk of having their tissue exploited with no compensation or any reimbursement. I believe people should be given the opportunity to decide one way or the other. 


hff


Citations
“Rebecca Skloot Journalist, Teacher, Author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Bio « Rebecca Skloot, rebeccaskloot.com/about/bio/.

 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks/id418646893?mt=11

This material may be protected by copyright.

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