Dolly Parton's sister says singer was still thinking of others while battling cancer
Stella Parton shared memories of her sister, the late Dolly Parton, highlighting the singer's enduring kindness and commitment to medical research even during her final days. The tribute reflects on Dolly's legacy, including her significant contributions to COVID-19 vaccine development.
Why it matters
Dolly Parton's public image as a philanthropist and cultural icon is underscored by personal accounts of her character, reinforcing her impact on both entertainment and public health.
On Thursday, Stella Parton posted a statement to Instagram describing how she and Dolly used to wake up early and drink coffee together over the phone each Tuesday.
The statement says in one of their final conversations, Dolly told Stella "if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future."
CBC News asked Dolly Parton's publicist to confirm whether the star was receiving experimental treatment toward the end of her life, but has received no response.
However, Parton's contribution to another recent medical advancement is widely known.
In November 2020, it was revealed she made a $1-million US donation to Nashville's Vanderbilt University Medical Center for COVID-19 research — and part of it went toward the development of the Moderna mRNA coronavirus vaccine.
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