Country music icon Dolly Parton donates $1 million to pediatric infectious disease research

In the latest string of Dolly Parton's philanthropical work, the country music icon gifted $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease research.

The funding will help advance Vanderbilt's leading studies on the causes of disease, understanding resistance to antibiotics and preventing and treating infections in children with cancer.

“No child should ever have to suffer," Parton said in a statement. "I'm willing to do my part to try and keep as many of them as I can as healthy and safe as possible."

Her financial support of scientific research at VUMC spans years, with multiple $1 million donations.

Parton gifted $1 million toward coronavirus research in 2020 to VUMC, some of which was credited with funding the development of Moderna's vaccine. As the country music star received her first dose of the vaccine at VUMC, she urged others to follow suit.

“I just want to say to all of you cowards out there: Don’t be such a chicken squat,” Parton said in the video. “Get out there and get your shot.”

As emergencies have unfolded across the state, Parton has raised money to help those affected.

When a deadly flood struck Waverly, Tennessee last August, Parton fundraised $700,000 in support of the United Way of Humphreys County to help those impacted.

After a fire burned more than 17,000 acres of land, killed 14 people and damaged more than 2,000 buildings in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Parton raised $9 million to people who lost their homes. The telethon was in addition to the $1,000 a month donation for six months Parton pledged to each of the 1,300 families who lost their home in the blaze.

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Her theme park located just outside Gatlinburg, Dollywood Park and Resorts, announced earlier this year it would cover 100% of tuition, fees and books for any employee.

Among Parton’s other donations to VUMC was helping transform the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Pediatric Cancer Program in honor of her niece, Hannah Dennison, who was successfully treated for leukemia as a child at the Children’s Hospital.

“Dolly’s previous support to infectious disease research, and also our pediatric cancer program, has already saved countless lives," said Jeff Balser, president and CEO of VUMC 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. It speaks volumes about her passion for people, and we couldn’t be more thankful.”

Arcelia Martin covers growth and development for the Tennessean, a part of The USA TODAY Network. Reach Arcelia at amartin1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @arcelitamartin. 

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton donates $1 million to pediatric infectious disease research