Credit: Bang Showbiz

In light of an illness that hits close to home for J.K. Rowling’s family, the famed author has donated $19 million into research for multiple sclerosis.

J.K. Rowling’s mother, Anne Rowling, died from complications of MS at the age of 45. The debilitating disease damages the nervous system, spinal cord and brain functions. In 2010, the 54-year-old author was pivotal in helping to establish the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at Scotland’s University of Edinburgh. She donated $12.3 million to the clinic. With this new donation, the university will provide new research facilities and set up research projects to discover more about MS.

In addition to MS, the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic also researches and brings awareness to other conditions and diseases like Parkinson’s, motor neuron disease and dementia.

“When the Anne Rowling Clinic was first founded, none of us could have predicted the incredible progress that would be made in the field of regenerative neurology, with the clinic leading the change,” said Rowling. “It’s a matter of great pride for me that the clinic has combined these lofty ambitions with practical, on the ground support and care for people with MS, regardless of stage and type. I’ve heard firsthand what a difference this support can make.”