Dolly Parton’s music helped little girl Pearl Monroe through leukemia; years later, she met the star who comforted her, whose loss felt deeply personal; she now helps cancer kids

Pearl Monroe battled leukemia as a young child, finding comfort in Dolly Parton’s music and books from her Imagination Library. Years later, she met Parton at Dollywood and thanked her personally. After Parton’s death, Pearl felt the loss deeply. Today, the childhood cancer survivor volunteers, raises funds and helps children undergoing cancer treatment.