The unlikely story of how Dolly Parton helped to fund the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine

The year 2020 has not been filled with many feel-good stories.

But as this annus horribilis limps towards its end, comes a story befitting a Hallmark Christmas movie. Like any festive film, fans would know, every feel-good flick starts with some kind of tragedy.

In this case, a car crash and a visit to the hospital emergency room in 2013. American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton had been involved in her first car accident and although she wasn't badly injured, she paid a visit to the Vanderbilt University Medical Centre.

According to a report by Vanity Fair, it's here that the Jolene hitmaker met Dr Naji Abumrad, a Lebanese-American physician and surgeon.

The two instantly connected over a shared interest in all things science and similar backgrounds that saw them going from growing up poor to establishing successful career paths of their own.