JK’s magical moment as MS clinic opens
a HER best-selling books and the series of Hollywood blockbusters they spawned have already cast their spell over the realm of fantasy.
But yesterday Harry Potter author J K Rowling was hoping t o work some magic in the real world – with the opening of her £10million multiple sclerosis research clinic.
Named for the writer’s mother, who died of the disease, the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic was officially opened by the Princess Royal.
The clinic, at the University of Edinburgh’s Little France complex, was established with a £10million donation from Miss Rowling. It will focus on treatments to slow the progression of MS, as well as learning more about other neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.
The Princess Royal, who is chancellor of the university, paid tribute to the ‘exceptional support’ Miss Rowling, whose mother died aged 45, has given to this field of research. She said: ‘To have the exceptional support we’ve had from Jo Rowling is quite astonishing. We’ve got to make the best use of that and I hope she will make sure that we do that.’
Miss Rowling, who lives in Edinburgh, said in a statement: ‘I am moved and elated to see the Anne Rowling Clinic formally opened.
‘Having observed the plans for the clinic develop and expand to fulfil the needs of patients, clinicians and researchers, I am now very proud to see the building finished and operating as the beating heart of this centre for excellence.’
Professor Siddharthan Chandran, professor of neurology and co-director of the clinic, told her: ‘Your gift is transformative. It’s unbelievably generous and very far-sighted.’
Multiple sclerosis affects about 100,000 people in the UK and Scotland has one of the highest rates in the world, with some 10,500 people suffering the condition.