Dolly Parton supported research makes breakthrough in COVID-19 vaccine
A COVID-19 research fund that Dolly Parton donated $1m to has played a part in the Moderna vaccine, which has a 95% protection rate from the virus.
Back in April, Parton donated the amount to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville as one of her longtime friends, Dr. Naji Abumrad, was helping with the vital research to try and find a cure.
On November 16, Moderna revealed that they had a vaccine with 95% effectiveness for COVID-19, which it made citing assistance from a number of funds and organisations – one of which being the Vanderbilt one that Parton donated to.
Speaking to The One Show on BBC in the UK, Parton humbly downplayed her own part in the vaccine, but did state that she was extremely proud to be able to say that she had something to do with helping others.
“I’m sure many, many millions of dollars from many people went into that [research fund], but I felt so proud to have been part of that little seed money that hopefully will grow into something great and help to heal this world – Lord knows we need it,” Parton said. “I’m a very proud girl today to know I had anything at all to do with something that’s going to help us through this crazy pandemic.”
Dolly Parton is, along with being a true country music legend, very well known for her charity endeavours, with the artist regularly giving back to society – perhaps most prominent with her Imagination Library project, which have given over a billion books to children across America to ensure they have reading material from birth until starting school.
