Woman's cancer cells are helping save lives long after her death

PHOENIX - We have an incredible story to tell you about a woman who is saving thousands of lives every year, even though she herself died nearly 60 years ago.

Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman who was treated for and died of cervical cancer in 1951. Scientists discovered her cancer cells tested, had the amazing ability to not only survive in a petri dish, but thrive there. Those cells, now called HeLa cells, have multiplied billions of times and are being sold to laboratories all over the world to help researchers in their work to find cures to dozens of diseases.

The problem is, her family never knew about any of this until long after her death. Watch the video above to hear her story and learn what happens next. 

Today, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, written by Rebecca Skloot, is a New York Times best-seller. It is a also an enormously popular choice for book clubs and classrooms around the world.

With Skloot's ability to weave a true medical discovery into a human drama that teaches the readers about detailed information on science, medicine, even law. At the time, there were no laws giving rights to the people whose bodily samples were taken, and the reader is off on a journey of amazement and discovery.

Skloot's website is also filled with educational guides and discussion topics to encourage debate and dialogue. You can also find details about Lack's life on the Smithsonian website.

If you love the book and want more, you're in luck. Oprah Winfrey's movie company has bought the rights to the book, and is making a feature film on The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Production is expected to begin in the Fall.