Dolly Parton and Niece Honored at Nashville Children’s Hospital

In October 2017, Parton announced a $1 million gift to the Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Cancer Program while visiting patients with her niece.

Dolly Parton and Niece Honored at Nashville Children’s Hospital
Dolly Parton; Photo by John Russell/Vanderbilt University

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt holds a special place in Dolly Parton’s heart as it cared for her niece, Hannah Dennison, when she was treated for leukemia as a child. Beginning in 1993, Dennison spent four years in the hospital’s care and now the cancer survivor and her family have been honored with the newly named Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden at the Nashville hospital.

“26 years ago is when Hannah was diagnosed with leukemia,” Parton told an audience at the dedication ceremony in Nashville on May 17. “Hannah now stands here as our chemo hero and she shows that miracles do happen. To be here is a great honor for us.”

In October 2017, Parton announced a $1 million gift to the Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Cancer Program while visiting patients with her niece. The money will help the hospital care for children and adolescents battling cancer.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton; Photo by John Russell/Vanderbilt University

“It was important to me to make a donation to the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt because of Hannah’s care and just how well they do for everyone,” Parton said in a press release. “It’s been a good hospital for us. This is just a great group of doctors and nurses that provide the best of care, and it was the least I could do.”

Dennison was on hand for the dedication ceremony in May and also raved about the hospital. “They do such good things here and this is wonderful,” she added.

The Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden is located on the hospital’s second floor, also known as Main Street. Parton’s symbol is the butterfly and as a result, the butterfly garden will serve as an important place to offer families respite while their children undergo treatment at the hospital.