Dolly Parton is donating another million dollars to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
The money will go toward research into pediatric infectious diseases.
“No child should ever have to suffer,” Parton, 76, said in a press release. “I’m willing to do my part to try and keep as many of them as I can as healthy and safe as possible.”
Related: Dolly Parton reveals who she’d like to play her in a biopic
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This is not the first time she has made a big donation toward medical research. She has made several donations to Vanderbilt before, including in 2020, when she donated $1million toward developing a vaccine against Covid.
That research led to the development of the Moderna vaccine, later approved for use around the world.
According to a news release from the Vanderbilt, Parton’s money will help fund research to understand how viruses and bacteria cause disease, understand and prevent antibiotic resistance, prevent and treat infections, diagnose and treat infections in children with cancer, and examine the impact of childhood infections throughout the world.
“Dolly’s previous support to infectious disease research, and also our pediatric cancer program, has already saved countless lives,” said Dr. Jeff Balser, president and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“This new gift will bolster our defenses against future threats to the safety of this region and society as a whole.”
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Besides donating to medical research, the singing legend is known for a range of philanthropic work. Her Dollywood Foundation helped raised around $700,000 for flood victims in Tennessee in late 2021, while her Imagination Library Project has donated over 150million books to children under five since 1995.
Jim
I love Dolly Parton.
I love what she did.
But remember for her it’s just chump change.
lou lou de la falaise
that’s true, every million helps.
KyleMichelSullivan
Considering Dolly has always been doing this with her money…and how billionaires like Elon Musk renege on monetary promises they make, and even Warren Buffet isn’t known for outright helping people…pissy little comments about her are not appreciated.
dougie
It might be chump change for Dolly, but a million here, a million there . . . after awhile it adds up to real money. At least she’s not spending it selfishly to take a ride into space, or buy a sports team, or buy a garish yacht. Give the woman credit for doing some good in the world.
bachy
Oligarchies are over-reliant on super-wealthy mega-achievers having a change-of-heart late in life and donating their riches back to the benefit of society.
Instead of waiting for noblesse oblige, we could tax the rich.
Cato
I agree with your basic sentiment, but Dolly grew up in abject poverty and has always been kind-hearted and generous. This is no late in life change, she’s always been a good person.
Kangol2
She’s amazing. She’s done so many good things for so many people, and keeps on doing so. Thank you, Dolly Parton!
marxist_homo
For once, you’re right about something.
cuteguy
Dolly Parton is a true queen. She’s an American treasure and hero