Dolly Parton’s extensive record of charitable acts has been well-documented, and a heartfelt tribute from her sister sheds light on the deep-rooted spirit of generosity within her. Stella Parton took to Instagram to share how she and Dolly used to start their Tuesdays by having early morning coffee together over the phone.
In one of their final conversations, Dolly expressed to Stella her willingness to undergo experimental medical treatments even if there was no hope for her own recovery, all in the hopes of benefiting future patients. Despite inquiries from CBC News regarding Dolly’s involvement in experimental treatments towards the end of her life, her publicist has not provided a response.
While details about Dolly’s potential medical treatments remain unclear, her significant contribution to medical research is widely known. In November 2020, it was disclosed that she donated $1 million to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center for COVID-19 research, with a portion of the funds allocated to the development of the Moderna mRNA coronavirus vaccine.
When Dolly received her first vaccine dose, she did so in front of cameras, singing a modified version of her song “Jolene” with lyrics promoting vaccination. The administering doctor in the video, Dr. Naji Abumrad, first crossed paths with Dolly at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2013 after she was involved in a minor car accident. Their encounter blossomed into a lasting friendship, with Dr. Abumrad reportedly by Dolly’s side during her final moments according to his son’s recent piece in The New York Times.
Stella Parton, in her tribute, emphasized Dolly’s exceptional generosity and kindness, stating that the world truly witnessed the essence of the iconic singer. She encouraged others to emulate Dolly’s example of leaving a positive impact on the world.