JK Rowling MS clinic opened by Princess Anne

A NEW multiple sclerosis (MS) research clinic named after the late mother of author JK Rowling has been officially opened by the Princess Royal.

The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at the University of Edinburgh was established with a £10 million donation from the Harry Potter writer.

Work at the facility will focus on finding 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.

Rowling, whose mother died of MS at the age of 45, attended the official unveiling of the centre today but did not speak at the event.

The Princess Royal, in her role as chancellor of the university, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion and paid tribute to the “exceptional support” Rowling has given to this field of research.

Anne told the gathering: “It’s always a pleasure to see developments happening because this is a particular area of interest, as far as I’m concerned.

“To be able to come (to the university) every now and again and really see what I consider to be step changes happening in an area which I think, to a degree, has been slightly below the horizon in the past is a huge encouragement.

“It’s a huge encouragement for people like us but I hope it’s more encouraging to those who are patients now, for whom it is very much part of their work. It’s their involvement which is making those step changes possible.”

She added: “None of this happens without support and to have the exceptional support that 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.”

Rowling, who found global success with the Harry Potter book series, said in a statement: “I am moved and elated to see the Anne Rowling Clinic formally opened today by HRH The Princess Royal.

“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.”

Source Edinburgh News