Why does Skloot begin researching the life of Henrietta Lacks?

In 10th grade biology class they studied the HELA cell. She asked the teacher after class what was known about the originator, but the teacher knew almost nothing. She went to college and the story became the same. No one really knew much about Henrietta including her real name. So, Rebecca set out to tell her story. It was a near impossible task trying to find out what her real name was, where her family was, and where she could get the records.