Harrison Ford will auction off the jacket his "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" character Han Solo wears in the film for a good cause. The jacket's sale will benefit epilepsy research, education and patient services, a cause that is very close to the actor's heart.
Ford's daughter Georgia has been living with the disease for years and her father is a huge proponent of the cause. The actor donated the jacket to the NYU Langone Center and FACES (Finding A Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures), which will auction the jacket off starting at $18,000. Ford has also been a big supporter of the Langone Center and, more specifically, the center's director, Dr. Orrin Devinsky, who diagnosed Georgia with epilepsy after suffering from years of seizures.
"I've been very impressed with the work NYU and the FACES team have done in the field of epilepsy research, and I hope this jacket will provide some means to further that exploration," Ford said. "This is a cause that's near and dear to me, and unlike the cynical Han Solo, I've got a good feeling about this."
Bidding for the jacket, which was also signed by Ford, is open now and will close April 11 at 6 p.m. ET on IfOnly.com.
"We are thrilled and honored to be supporting such an incredible cause by featuring a piece of cinematic history," added Trevor Traina, IfOnly's CEO. "We've been lucky to support hundreds of causes, but this one is even more significant as it is so personal to Harrison."
Earlier this month, Ford opened up about his 26-year-old daughter's struggle with epilepsy and how his family struggled to seek treatment for her.
"When you have a loved one who suffers from this disease, it can be devastating," Ford said. "You know how it affects their lives, their future, their opportunities and you want desperately to find mitigation. You want to find a way that they can live a comfortable and effective life."
"Dr. Orrin Devinsky, who is a dear friend, made the diagnosis: epilepsy," Ford continued. "He prescribed the right medication and therapy; she has not had a seizure in eight years."
