Sea Gulls set to participate in "Hour of Power" on Nov. 10

SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University men's and women's swim teams are competing against an opponent they can't wait to defeat: Cancer! The Sea Gulls will participate in an event called "Hour of Power" relay that is going on nationwide, with over 96 college swimming programs participating. The event encompasses programs from NCAA Division I, II and III. Additionally, 23 club, high-school and student-abroad teams will participate.

"We're honored for the opportunity to be a part of such a worthy cause and hope our contribution will go a long way toward eradicating sarcoma," said SU coach Jill Stephenson.

In 2008, the Sea Gull swim program raised $832, and this year they have set their goal towards $1,000.

The event will take place on Nov. 10 at the Maggs Physical Activities Center swimming pool. The event 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.

All teams are invited to get involved in the "Hour of Power" whether or not they decide to raise funds. 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.

Interested college, high school and club teams are invited to register for the "Hour of Power" and find more information at http://go.carleton.edu/HourOfPower. You can also contact Carleton College head coach Andy Clark at aclark@carleton.edu or Rick Mullin at rmullin9@comcast.net.

For more information:
Official Ted Mullin web page on the Carleton College web site