Dolly Parton’s death has had a profound effect on the world already, but her impact will be felt long after her passing. According to the selfless humanitarian’s sister, Stella Parton, Dolly was open to trying “experimental drugs” as part of her cancer treatment, as a means of helping future patients facing the same battle.
Two days after Dolly died at age 80, Stella, 77, shared the news in an emotional tribute to her sister on Instagram. “My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known,” the younger Parton wrote. “What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that 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.”
This is far from the first time Dolly Parton has dedicated herself to medicine. In April of 2020, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, as part of the center’s work with Moderna on its coronavirus vaccine. Parton helped pay for the first phase of research that has now been delivered across hundreds of millions of doses.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. For decades, Parton has given back through concerted charity efforts like the Imagination Library and the Dollywood Foundation, each of which inspires literacy in underserved communities.
Ultimately, Stella Parton used her statement to encourage Dolly’s fans to live as she did. “My sister was always thinking of others,” Stella wrote, “and if you want to honor her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources as she continued to do to the very end.” You can read the full tribute below.
