Baltimore City Hall #TealTakeover Launch to End Cervical Cancer

Baltimore City Hall's dome was lit in teal last night as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) lighting buildings around the world for the launch of the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. The dome was lit in partnership with HELA100, a year-long Centennial CELLebration honoring Henrietta Lacks of Baltimore who died of cervical cancer and whose famous HeLa cells became responsible for some of the greatest scientific advancements of the century and continue to benefit humanity including the creation of the HPV vaccine that can help prevent 6 cancers including cervical cancer.

Mayor-elect, Council President Brandon M. Scott and the Lacks Family held an event for the #TealTakeover, illuminating the CIty Hall dome as well. Turner Station in Dundalk, where Henrietta lived, was also lit in teal. Henrietta's HeLa cells, were taken without her or her family's knowledge or consent.

HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is a common virus that can cause 6 types of cancer. While there is no treatment for HPV, there is a vaccine that can prevent it. The American Cancer Society recommends that boys and girls between ages 9 and 12, receive the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is safe, effective, and long-lasting.

For more information on the #TealTakeover, the launch of the WHO's campaign to eliminate cervical cancer, see www.who.int/news-room. For information about Henrietta Lack's legacy, see www.hela100.org. For ACS HPV vaccinations recommendations and information on cervical cancer, go to: www.cancer.org.