Dolly Parton’s Music Became a Source of Comfort for a 3-Year-Old Battling Leukemia

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA — When Pearl Monroe “Roe Roe” Tucker was just 3 years old, she faced a childhood no family ever expects to endure.

Diagnosed with leukemia in 2019, Pearl spent 858 days going through treatment. During some of her hardest moments, it was the familiar voice of Dolly Parton that helped bring her comfort.

Years later, Pearl not only completed treatment — she got the chance to meet the woman whose music had helped her through those difficult days.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Pearl’s parents, Chad and Meredith Tucker, first noticed something was wrong when their daughter began complaining about unexplained pain in her legs and joints.

On November 19, 2019, the pain became so severe that Pearl stopped walking.

After her parents pushed for bloodwork, doctors discovered alarming results and eventually diagnosed her with leukemia.

Treatment began soon afterward, bringing months of chemotherapy, hospital visits and steroids.

Much of Pearl’s treatment took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, making an already difficult experience even more isolating. She couldn’t attend school or spend time with friends in the way other children her age could.

Dolly’s Music Helped Calm Her

During treatment, Pearl sometimes experienced intense emotional reactions to steroids.

Her parents searched for anything that might help her feel calm.

They discovered that giving Pearl a bath while playing Dolly Parton’s music could make a difference.

Songs including “9 to 5,” “Jolene” and “Love Is Like a Butterfly” became part of the routine.

Her father later described Dolly’s music as “an amazing healer,” saying it gave their daughter a small source of comfort during an incredibly difficult chapter.

Parton’s Imagination Library also became meaningful to Pearl. Even while she was unable to experience many normal childhood activities, receiving books gave her something to look forward to.

Pearl Finally Met Her Musical Hero

After 858 days of treatment, Pearl took her final medication on January 30, 2022.

Two months later, she celebrated her sixth birthday by ringing the bell marking the end of her treatment.

Then, in March 2024, Pearl and her family visited Dollywood in Tennessee.

Pearl had prepared a simple message for Parton:

“Dolly, your music helped me beat cancer.”

When Parton saw the sign, she stopped and asked Pearl if she was doing better.

Pearl told her she was.

Parton then hugged the young girl — creating a moment the family would never forget.

Their Connection Didn’t End There

The Tuckers returned to Dollywood the following year, and Parton’s team remembered Pearl.

The family was invited to see her again, giving Pearl another opportunity to thank the singer for the comfort she had provided.

During their conversation, Parton revealed that her own niece had battled leukemia as a child and survived, giving her a deeply personal connection to Pearl’s experience.

The family also spoke with Parton about “Chemo Hero,” a song she created for children facing cancer.

Pearl Is Now Helping Other Children

Pearl’s experience has shaped the person she is becoming.

Today, she volunteers and raises money for childhood cancer causes. She also helped inspire her family’s “Hero Library,” which provides books to children going through cancer treatment.

In many ways, Pearl is passing along the same kind of comfort that Dolly’s music and books once gave her.

Her father says Parton taught their family an important lesson about using what you have to help others.

A Legacy Pearl Says She Can Still Feel

When Pearl learned that Parton had passed away at 80 on August 25, the news was especially personal.

Dolly wasn’t simply a famous singer to her.

She was the voice that helped calm her during treatment, the woman who hugged her after hearing her story and someone whose kindness stayed with her long after those difficult 858 days were over.

Pearl’s reaction captured how deeply Parton had influenced her.

“I don’t really feel like she’s gone because she left us so much,” she said.

And perhaps that is the most powerful part of Pearl’s story.

The little girl who once found comfort in Dolly Parton’s music is now growing up and helping other children find comfort of their own — carrying forward the kindness she received when she needed it most.