J. K. Rowling Donates 10 Million Pounds for MS Research at University of Edinburgh
J.K. RowlingAugust 31, 2010, 08:28 AM
The BBC is reporting this morning that Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling has given a donation of 10 million pounds to the University of Edinburgh to fund a research clinic studying MS (Multiple sclerosis). The new research clinic will be named the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, after the author's mother who suffered from the decease and passed away at age 45. The BBC goes on to note that the clinic will also focus their efforts "on other degenerative neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Motor Neurone Disease." Ms Rowling is quoted as saying in regards to the donation:
"I cannot think of anything more important, or of more lasting value, than to help the university attract world-class minds in the field of neuroregeneration, to build on its long and illustrious history of medical research and, ultimately, to seek a cure for a very Scottish disease.
"I have just turned 45, the age at which my mother, Anne, died of complications related to her MS.
"I know that she would rather have had her name on this clinic than on any statue, flower garden or commemorative plaque, so this donation is on her behalf, too; and in gratitude for everything she gave me in her far-too-short life."
More information about the Centre for MS Research at the University of Edinburgh can be found via this link.
Many thanks, Erna!
It may be silly but this article brought me to tears. I hope that her generous donation results in many more mothers (and fathers) being able to fight these diseases long enough to see their children and grandchildren grow into as fine adults as Ms. Rowling has grown.