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Eat A Cherry Burger, Raise Money For Medical Research

A fundraiser luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Traverse City St. Francis High School to raise money for research into Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases at Central Michigan University.

And the star of the plate will be the star of the research involved -- cherries.

From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., participants will get a hamburger made of Plevalean -- a lean, healthy mixture of ground sirloin and ground cherries -- along with a snack, drink and dessert, for $10, a portion of which will fund CMU research.

CMU researcher Gary Dunbar and his colleagues have been experimenting with high doses of compounds found in cherries for the treatment of a variety of neuromuscular disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

"We have seen very promising results on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's research," Dunbar said.

Added lunch organizer and Plevalean creator Ray Pleva: "A lot of families in northern Michigan feel the impact of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. We have an opportunity to give hope to those families with this research."

The event is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, Bill Marsh Auto, Pepsi, Aunt Millie's Bakeries, Sara Lee Bakery, Mancino's Pizza & Grinders, Great Lakes Striping & Sealing, Smith & Johnson, Attorneys PC, Ray Pleva's Products and Cerise Nutraceuticals.

St. Francis High School is at 123 E. 11th St. in Traverse City.

For more information, call (231) 933-3300 or email ray@cherrylotion.com. More about Plevalean at http://www.plevasmeats.com/burger.html.

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