Henrietta Lacks died 62 years ago, but her immortal cells known as HeLa live on through scientific research, having led to world-changing medical advances for decades. Lacks died in 1951 in Baltimore, but her cells were essential to many breakthroughs in modern medicine. These so-call “HeLa” cells are still alive today, and continue to be used in medical studies and sold by biological supply companies. Her cells were used to develop the polio vaccine, treatment for cancer ,as well as in-vitro fertilization, cloning and gene mapping. They were sent into space to test the impact of zero gravity, and are used today in AIDS research.