In the fall of 1974, Dolly Parton topped the Hot Country Songs chart with a single that would prove to be one of her most iconic – “Love Is Like A Butterfly.” The song wound up inspiring the singer to adopt the insect as one of her trademarks. Over forty years later, that tradition continues, as the Country Music Hall of Fame member and her niece, Hannah Dennison, were honored in May 2018 at the dedication of the newly named Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.
The dedication came after Parton announced a $1 million gift to Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Cancer Program earlier this year while visiting patients with her niece. It’s a place that Parton’s family knows very well. Dennison was treated for leukemia as a child at Children’s Hospital for four years.
Parton said the gift was made “in honor of my niece Hannah, my sister Rachel, Hannah’s dad, Richard, and Dr. Naji Abumrad. 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. “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.”
The Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden is located on the hospital’s second floor, also known as Main Street.
For their part, the Hospital is honored by Parton’s gift. “Dolly is known the world over for her kind and generous spirit. We are incredibly grateful for the support that she, her sister Rachel and niece Hannah have shown for Children’s Hospital and our programs in childhood cancer,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“Dolly’s symbol is the butterfly, so it only seems fitting that The Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden will become a focal point of our hospital, offering patients and families an important respite while they are here.”
Following the presentation, Parton and Dennison visited with patients in Seacrest Studios at Children’s Hospital, where they answered questions, posed for photos and even celebrated Dennison’s 30th birthday with balloons and treats. Check out video of their visit above.