Dolly Parton helped fund Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine
Country music icon Dolly Parton has played a massive role in helping the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The 74-year-old Jolene singer donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which conducted US pharmaceutical firm Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine trial and clinical research.
On Monday it was revealed that Moderna has reported early analysis suggesting its coronavirus vaccine is 94.5 per cent effective.
Dolly has since taken to her Twitter account to upload an interview with NBC News where she said: “When I donated the money to the COVID fund I just wanted it to do good and evidently it is. Let’s just hope we can find a cure real soon.”
Dolly first announced the donation in April, taking to her Instagram to write: “My Longtime friend Dr. Naji Abumrad, who’s been involved in research at Vanderbilt for many years, informed me that they were making some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure.
“I am making a donation of $1 million to Vanderbilt towards that research and to encourage people that can afford it to make donations.”
While Dolly’s donation certainly went towards funding the research, fans of the country singer have joked online that Dolly ‘saved 2020’.
“Good morning. Dolly Parton cured COVID-19,” one person joked.
“Omg Dolly Parton put out a holiday album and cured Covid-19 I knew she could save 2020,” another wrote.
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