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Lawmakers make bipartisan pitch to help raise funds for MSU biomedical research microscope

Spartan MINI CooperLANSING, MI – At a time when partisanship and political logjams appear to be at an all-time high in Lansing, lawmakers from all sides came together today to raise awareness for an important cause. Sen. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep. Peter MacGregor joined representatives from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine on the steps of the Capitol to encourage Lansing policymakers to support the Rally 4 Research raffle event.

The fundraiser is part of the College of Human Medicine’s campaign to sell raffle tickets for a 2013 Spartan-themed MINI Cooper, with all proceeds going towards the purchase of a laser scanning confocal microscope to conduct research on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases.

“Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s impact thousands of Michigan families every year,” said Sen. Whitmer. “This microscope will place Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine at the forefront for conducting research on neurological diseases.”

The MINI Cooper features a Spartan green exterior, a large white “S” logo on the doors and a detachable plume. It was donated by George Sharpe of The Sharpe Collection auto dealership in Grand Rapids.

“Mr. Sharpe is a longtime advocate of MSU neuroscience research and we are grateful for his continuing support of our scientists,” said Marsha D. Rappley, M.D., dean, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “This sophisticated microscope will offer more precise information to our researchers as they work to help find cures for debilitating neurological diseases.”

Mr. Sharpe said he was motivated for the nearly one million Americans and seven million worldwide afflicted by Parkinson’s disease, as well as those who will be diagnosed in the future.

“This research is going to help somebody someday down the road,” he said. “I think of my family, my grandchildren. Someday it’s going to help somebody,” said George Sharpe, owner of the Sharpe Collection in Grand Rapids. Mr. Sharpe has underwritten the vehicle.

“Michigan State University has some of the brightest minds in the world,” said Rep. MacGregor. “And when you combine that intellectual power with the technological power of this cutting edge microscope, I know great things will happen. I hope our colleagues in the legislature will join us in supporting the Rally for Research and help contribute to finding cures for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.”

Raffle tickets for the MINI Cooper are $100 each and can be purchased online at MSURally4Research.com or in-person at The Sharpe Collection auto dealership at 1010 28th Street SE in Grand Rapids. Only 2,500 tickets will be sold. The drawing for the MINI Cooper will be held April 14, at 7:00 p.m., at The Sharpe Collection of Grand Rapids.

More details about the MSU College of Human Medicine and the Rally 4 Research efforts can be found at http://humanmedicine.msu.edu/Spotlight/2013/rally4research.htm.

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