Fourth annual ted Mullin "leave it in the pool" hour of power relay Nov. 10
Oct. 30, 2009
It is nearly impossible to find anyone whose life has not been touched by cancer, whether it is through a friend, family member, or even a teammate. The men's and women's swimming and diving teams at Luther College have found one more way to fight back: the fourth annual Ted Mullin “Leave it in the Pool” Hour of Power Relay for Pediatric Sarcoma Research, sponsored by the Carleton College swimming and diving teams, set for Tuesday, Nov. 10.
This year, Luther College will join with approximately 5,900 athletes from 119 college, high school, and club teams across the nation—as well as students-abroad teams—to participate in the “Hour of Power,” honoring those who are fighting or have succumbed to cancer, including former Carleton swimmer Edward H. “Ted” Mullin, who passed away from synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer, in September 2006.
As of Oct. 30, 2009, a total of 96 college swimming programs encompassing 33 different conferences and one independent have signed up to take part in this year’s event. The event encompasses programs from NCAA Division I, II and III. Additionally, 23 club, high-school and students-abroad teams will participate.
The event—held in each team’s home pool—is a one-hour, all-out, leave-it-in-the-pool practice consisting of continuous relays, using any stroke. Wherever possible participating teams begin and finish the “Hour of Power” workout at the same time, using their respective and corresponding time zones from the East Coast to the West Coast. This means thousands of swimmers will be in the water at the same time in support of the battle against cancer. Although some teams are forced to schedule their event at another time due to various conflicts, the official start time is set for 4 p.m., Central Standard Time on Nov. 10.
First held on Nov. 7, 2006, the “Hour of Power” Relay has grown from 15 teams the first year to the current 119 teams with 5,900 student-athletes on four continents in 2009.
Since the event began three years ago, participants raised more than $112,000 for the Ted Mullin Fund for Pediatric Sarcoma Research at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital where Ted received treatment. The “Hour of Power” also aims to promote team spirit and to generate awareness of sarcoma, a rare cancer that disproportionately affects adolescents and young adults.
Funds raised during the event 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 enabled the University of Chicago to recruit Stephen X. Skapek, M.D., an expert in the study and treatment of sarcomas. Dr. Skapek and team are working in the lab to translate new scientific discoveries into improved therapies for sarcoma patients like Ted Mullin.
"Our team would like to thank all the parents and friends who donated money for the Ted Mullin’s cancer research fund last year, “ commented Huber. “The team had a great time during this event and raised $1,950. We have set a goal to be able to donate a larger amount of money this year.”
Again this year, the Norse are taking donations of any size and having the people who donate sign t-shirts designed for this occasion. The Sport Shop has once again donated all of the t-shirts.
The Hour of Power Relay takes on a more personal feel for the Norse this year. Jim Penning, a freshman from Northfield, Minn., was diagnosed as a sophomore at Northfield High School, has been treated, and is in remission of sarcoma cancer.
If anyone would like to donate to this worthy cause, please contact Luther Head Coach Lance Huber at (563) 387-1578 or by e-mail at hubela01@luther.edu.
The Luther College swimming and diving teams also welcome any interested parties to stop by the pool at 4 p.m. on Nov. 10, to cheer on the Norse swimmers as they take part in this special event.
