LATEST NEWS: There are suspicions that Covid-19 has returned with a new variant. Dolly Parton, who previously donated a large sum for the vaccine, may this year repeat that great act…

Dolly Parton’s $1M Donation to Moderna Vaccine Research

In a remarkable act of generosity, country music legend Dolly Parton donated $1 million to help fund the development of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. This substantial contribution supported groundbreaking research that led to a vaccine showing a 95% protection rate against the virus in trials, playing a crucial role in the fight against the global pandemic.

Parton’s donation was made in April after learning about the progress of vaccine research from her friend, Dr. Naji Abumrad, a professor at the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. Dr. Abumrad had been part of a team working on the Covid-19 vaccine, and he shared with Parton the exciting advancements they were making. The two had become close friends in 2014 when Parton was treated at Vanderbilt following a car accident.

In an interview with The One Show, Parton expressed her pride in being part of the vaccine development process. “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!” said Parton.

The donation not only supported the development of the Moderna vaccine but also contributed to several other important studies, including convalescent plasma research at Vanderbilt. This study involved treating Covid-19 patients with plasma from individuals who had antibodies against the virus. Parton’s support has thus extended far beyond the vaccine itself, providing vital resources for ongoing research into the virus.

Moderna has since announced plans to produce up to one billion doses of the vaccine by the end of 2021, and the company has begun submitting its data for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine has also been submitted to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with an initial 5 million doses secured by the UK.

Parton’s donation is just the latest example of her longstanding philanthropy. She has also made an impact through her Imagination Library, which gives free books to children from birth until they start school in participating areas. Despite not having children of her own, Parton has said that she views all children as her own, allowing her to focus on charitable endeavors like her book program.

In addition to her philanthropic efforts, Parton continued to bring joy to her fans in 2020, releasing her 47th solo album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, and starring in the Netflix movie Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square. Her generosity, both in her music and her charitable work, has made Dolly Parton a beloved figure not only in country music but in the world of philanthropy.