Macalester's men's and women's swimming and diving teams are taking part in the second annual Ted Mullin Hour of Power Relay for cancer research on Tuesday, Nov. 6 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Riley Pool. Macalester is one of over 60 colleges participating this event, which is held in honor of former Carleton College swimmer Edward H. “Ted” Mullin, who passed away from a rare soft-tissue cancer in September 2006. Programs encompassing 25 different conferences are taking part in the event which raises funds for cancer research.

The swim-a-thon will feature an “hour-of-power” relay practice. The objective is to keep all the relays in each lane on the same length. An ultimate goal of the “Hour of Power” swim-a-thon is to promote team spirit and to generate awareness of this cancer and its terminal impact on the lives of young adults.

Participants in the event are asked to gather pledges and donations for the Ted Mullin Cancer Research Fund at the University of Chicago. The U of Chicago will provide each participating team with packets of information well in advance of the event to aid in the fund-raising effort, as well as information regarding sarcoma, the type of cancer that claimed Ted's life. Last year's inaugural event raised more than $11,000 for the Ted Mullin Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research.

Funds raised during the event will act as seed funding for the University of Chicago pediatric sarcoma research program, allowing collaborative efforts between clinicians and physician-scientists in the identification of the causes of sarcoma, at the most basic molecular and cellular levels. With a team of dedicated pediatric oncologists, orthopedists, and radiation therapists in place, the Ted Mullin Fund will support the recruitment of two additional scientists devoted to the study of sarcomas; one to focus on the molecular basis of sarcoma and the other to translate those findings into improved therapies for cancer patients like Ted.

Those interested in making a contribution for this cause should contact Macalester swimming and diving head coach Bob Pearson (pearson@macalester.edu / phone: 651-696-6463).

Ted Mullin Tour of Power web site