J.K. Rowling donates $15.4 million to multiple sclerosis research

Author J.K. Rowling has donated $15.4 million to a multiple sclerosis research and treatment center at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

The creator of the "Harry Potter" franchise says she hopes the clinic will become "a world center for excellence in the field of regenerative neurology."

Rowling's mother, Anne, died of complications related to MS at 45, before her daughter found literary fame. The currently incurable neurological disease can take many forms, ranging from relatively mild and manageable to progressive and debilitating. The center will also study Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

"I cannot think of anything more important, or of more lasting value, than to help the university attract world-class minds in the field on neuroregeneration, to build on its long and illustrious history of medical research and, ultimately, to seek a cure for a very Scottish disease," Rowling said in a statement Tuesday.

"Very Scottish disease" may refer to the fact that MS in more common in people from northern latitudes. The donation is the biggest charitable gift made by Rowling, who just turned 45 herself and is a longtime Edinburgh resident.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: J.K Rowling. Credit: IWC Media Limited

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Comments

[Francis Young]

Thank you so much JK Rowling... thank you! I am sure that this very generous donation will go a long way. God bless you!

[Tina Veach]

Thank you for your generous donation! I was just wondering if there will be any research done on CCSVI with this new center? Again, thank you!

[Nelson]

JK,

You are an angel! It is great to see someone with so much talent and caring share her resources to help those with MS face the future with hope!!!!!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sara]

I have recently gone through being diagnosed with MS, a very scary proposition. I really hope this incredible gift will make great strides in discovering the cause and hopefully the cure for this debilitating disease.

[Sharon Kimrey]

JK, Thank-you so much from the bottom of my heart for your gift to MS research. I was diagnosed 27 years ago, but feel I have had it much longer. My grandmother died before I was born of complications of what I believe to have been MS, But of courrse there is no evidence. My son who is 28 exhibits multiple symptoms however he refuses to get tested because he feels ~why should I there is no cause or cure~ I heart hurts! I hope that your gift will bring us closer to determing what is MS and one day cure it! Thank-you, Sharon Kimrey, RN. PS- I have read your gbooks to my children & grandchildren~LOVE YOUR IMAGINATION!~

[Ralph Scarabino]

I am so thankful for J.K. Rowling for he support.I myself have lived with MS since 1994 & want to get a National Televised Telethon together.Just waiting for sponsorship & then want to get all-one-research facilities together where we may have a cure.If we all come together in research we may have our cure.I believe that with some research combined that we may have a breakthru.