The best gifts are those that not only serve us well but also inspire us.

With his $5 million gift to create the Waddell Center for Multiple Sclerosis, retired banker Oliver Waddell has given Cincinnatians improved health care and a reason for hope.

The center, which opened May 7, provides research and treatment at the University of Cincinnati and rehabilitation services and treatment at the Drake Center. In the past, many patients with MS have felt they had to leave Cincinnati to find the best care. The new center will provide experts on the disease, and cutting-edge diagnostic methods and medication. It will also likely give Cincinnatians a chance to participate in clinical trials of new treatments.

The center's ultimate goal is finding a cure for the disease, which affects about 4,500 Cincinnatians and gradually leads to severe disability.

Confidence in their care and optimism about their future are critical factors in how patients manage any disease. The Waddell Center brings a new level of expertise to the city and a network of resources. Local patients will find comfort in easier access, better coordination of care and freedom from travel.

The center clearly also grows the city's reputation as a source of medical innovation. While the research will focus on MS, the "functional disorders" center supported by the $5 million gift will include treatment and studies related to epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and other brain-related orders.

The center is a huge boon to local health care. But its significance lies not only in what Waddell has given, but why he gave it. For 23 years his wife, Virgilee, has battled multiple sclerosis. The center is a tribute to her courage and persistence. It is equally a tribute to her husband's devotion. Waddell is the former chief executive and chairman of Star Banc Corp.

Two years ago, the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society gave Oliver Waddell a Silver Hope Award for his support for the new center. The opening of the Waddell Center now moves that hope one step closer to reality.

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This feature appears on Mondays. Is there someone or something you have encountered that makes life better in Greater Cincinnati? Send your suggestions to Ray Cooklis at rcooklis@enquirer.com