An Immortal Virginian

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Ask Virginians the name of a native of the Commonwealth who has had the greatest impact on history, and you are likely to get a variety of answers.  Few are likely to give the name of the Virginian whom I believe has had and will continue to have the greatest influence on human history:  Henrietta Lacks.  Unfortunately few have heard of her, and her name does not appear in many history books.  All that is changing with the 2010 publication of the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot.

Henrietta was born in 1920 in Roanoke and grew up in Clover in Southside Virginia.  She moved to Baltimore as an adult.  She died at age 31 of cancer.  Her body was returned to Clover and buried in an unmarked grave in a family burial plot.  What Henrietta never knew and her family has only in recent years found out is that when she was being treated for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, small tissue samples were removed from her body.  Amazingly, the cells from these samples did what scientists had never seen before.  They could be kept alive and grown.  The cell line that was started was named for its unwitting donor "HeLa" and became the first immortal cell line.

HeLa cells were used by Dr. Jonas Salk to help develop a vaccine for polio.  The cells have been used around the world for research into cancer, AIDS, effects of radiation and toxic substances, gene mapping, human sensitivity to many substances, and others too numerous to mention here.  It is estimated that scientists have grown more than 20 tons of her cells.  More than 11,000 patents have been granted involving the cells.  Henrietta nor her family ever received any compensation.

This week the Virginia Department of Historic Resources is erecting a roadside marker near Clover to recognize her important contribution to medical science.  I hope to attend its unveiling.  I recommend reading Skloot's book.  A documentary has been produced, and more are likely to follow.  A humble African American woman of very limited means has had a profound effect on all our lives.  She may truly be the only immortal Virginian.
 

Sales Tax Holiday August 5-7 for School Supplies and Clothing

The annual Sales Tax Holiday for school supplies, clothing, and footwear is August 5-7, 2011.  During this three-day period, purchases of certain school supplies, clothing, and footwear will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax.  Each eligible school supply item must be priced at $20 or less, and each eligible article of clothing or footwear must be priced at $100 or less.  Supplies include binders, chalk, book bags, calculators, tape, clay and glazes, compasses, composition books, crayons, dictionaries, erasers, folders, glue and paste, highlighters, lunch boxes, markers, musical instruments, art supplies, paper, etc.  Computers do not qualify as "school supplies."  Clothing means any article of wearing apparel and typical footwear.  For a complete list, visit www.tax.virginia.gov.

Bringing Transparency to College Costs 

To help students make informed decisions about their choice for higher education, the U.S. Department of Education has launched an online College Affordability and Transparency Center on the Department of Education's College Navigator website.  As part of this Center, the Department posts lists that highlight institutions with the highest tuition prices, highest net prices, and institutions whose prices are rising at the fastest rates.  Institutions whose prices are rising the fastest will report why costs have gone up and how the institution will address rising prices.  Visit the Center at http://collegecost.ed.gov/catc.

Telephone Support Group for Family Caregivers

Join a support group for family caregivers of older adults without having to leave home.  Get helpful information, share your experiences, and gain emotional support from others on the phone.  The support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:00 p.m.  The August 9 topic is "Keeping Organized as a Caregiver."  September 13 topic is "Changing Roles Within the Family."  To register or for more information, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/caregiver.htm or call 703.324.5484, TTY 711.

Greetings from the White House

The White House will send greeting cards signed by the President to commemorate special events, accomplishments, or milestones free of charge to U.S. citizens.

* Anniversary Greetings:  Anniversary greetings are sent only to those couples who are celebrating their 50th (and subsequent) wedding anniversary.

* Birthday Greetings:  Birthday greetings will be sent only to individuals 80 years of age and above.

* Required Information:  Send a written request 6 weeks in advance of the event to:  The White House, Attn: Greetings Office, Washington, DC 20502-0039.  Include the name and home address of the honoree; form of address (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Miss, etc.); exact date of occasion (month, day, year); age (birthdays); or number of years of marriage; your (the requestor's) name and daytime phone number; and any specific mailing instructions if other than to honoree's address.