The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
Dolly Parton wants everyone to get back to working 9 to 5 in the office.
The country music legend’s COVID-19 Research Fund has contributed $1 million to vaccine research. The singer and actress is clearly as over this virus as the rest of us and has kindly donated her money to help us all out!
The funds she gave went to Vanderbilt University, which was involved in biotechnology company Moderna developing its COVID-19 vaccine that is said to be 94.5% effective. Her name is listed in the preliminary report on the vaccine with other sponsors. Sponsors include organizations such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases, headed by Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Parton is happy to have helped in the process, as she noted in a recent Twitter post. The post references a recent appearance on NBC’s “TODAY” in which she expressed similar sentiments.
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. pic.twitter.com/dQgDWexO0C
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) November 17, 2020
The singer made the donation in April 2020, when the coronavirus had really begun spreading and was causing lockdowns across the United States.
“I felt like this was the time for me to open my heart and my hand, and try to help,” she said in a “TODAY” interview from earlier this year.
The Moderna vaccine is the second one to show major promise. Pfizer has also developed a vaccine with a success rate of over 90%.
“This is a pivotal moment in the development of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate,” said Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of Moderna, in a news release. “Since early January, we have chased this virus with the intent to protect as many people around the world as possible. All along, we have known that each day matters. This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease.”
The next step, according to Moderna, is to submit the data about its full-phase study to a peer-reviewed publication, and to request an Emergency Use Authorization with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It will also submit applications to global regulatory agencies. Pfizer plans to do the same after a safety milestone has been achieved; it said last week it will be ready by the third week of November.
What made Parton want to contribute? She said longtime friend Dr. Naji Abumrad works for Vanderbilt and told her there were “some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure.”
Parton has been very busy despite the pandemic. Her “Holly Dolly Christmas” album was released back in August and is available for streaming to get us all through this socially distanced holiday season.
'A Holly Dolly Christmas' is finally here! I’ve never been more excited about a project in my whole career ⤠I hope these songs bring you some joy! https://t.co/wwEKoOhcYL
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) October 2, 2020
She has “A Holly Dolly Christmas Special” airing on TV on Dec. 6. The CBS broadcast will feature faith-filled music and Christmas classics.
The singer is a Christmas fanatic. Her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee heavily celebrates the holiday, and last year the park was the set of a Hallmark Channel movie, “Christmas at Dollywood.” The film is still part of Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movie schedule this season. Parton appears in the film.
Thank you, Dolly, for the Christmas cheer and the COVID-19 vaccine research contribution! We will always love you.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
