The University of Chicago Medicine has announced this summer’s group of Ted Mullin Scholars who will join cancer research teams at Comer Children’s Hospital at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.  The scholars are undergraduate veterans of the annual Ted Mullin Leave It in the Pool Hour of Power for Cancer Research.  Allie Clark, a rising senior at Carleton College, is a biology major.  Elizabeth Joyce, also a rising senior and biology major, attends the University of Chicago.  Geralyn Lam is a rising junior at Amherst College and a pre-med student.  Jason Xu is a rising junior majoring in molecular biology at Pomona College. 

The scholars will train alongside some of the best and brightest minds in pediatric cancer research and patient care. The selected scholars study for a full summer in a pediatric cancer laboratory under the direction of an expert faculty member, gaining invaluable experience and making meaningful and long-lasting relationships. The scholars’ work contributes to the groundbreaking pediatric and adult cancer research underway across the medical center.

Participation in the Hour of Power is a requirement for application to the Ted Mullin Fund Scholar program.  The Hour of Power is sponsored by Carleton College and this year had nearly 180 teams and over 8,400 athletes participate.  This group of four scholars brings the total number of scholars over the past five years to 21. 

Eight of the previous 17 Scholars have graduated from college, and of these individuals, six are now pursuing postgraduate education by way of medical school, joint MD/PhD programs, or postgraduate research. The remaining two students are studying for the MCAT and looking forward to applying to medical school soon. The seven previous scholars still pursuing their undergraduate degrees have secured excellent scientific research opportunities to further their education and training in the field.

Hour of Power Benefits

Funds raised from the Hour of Power support pediatric sarcoma research at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital.  Collegiate, high school, club, master or any other interested swim, dive or dryland teams are all invited to participate.   Basically, put a team together and bring your positive energy to support an incredible cause.  In 2014, 183 teams participated. 

For More Information:

• Hour of Power Page
• Ted Mullin Fund
• Still contemplating action?  Watch this video.  It packs all the punch of Brian’s Song into six minutes

About Ted

Ted began swimming at the age of 13, played trumpet in the high school jazz band and was an Illinois State Scholar.  Spring of his college sophomore year, a malignant tumor was discovered behind his right knee interrupting his swimming and studies at Carleton College.  From June to November, he underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery and then returned to campus until the disease was found spread to his lungs at the end of his junior year requiring more chemotherapy and lung surgeries.  Despite all of these challenges, he still served as swim team co-captain.  After a courageous two year battle, Ted died September 3, 2006 and the legacy of Hour of Power was born November 7, 2006 at the Carleton College Swim and Dive team (and Ted’s) home pool.  The Hour of Power was a chance for Ted’s teammates to turn the pain of this great loss into something positive; they could literally leave their grief “in the pool” as they raised awareness and took action.  This event to celebrate and commemorate Ted’s life became a vehicle to improve the lives of many others.

Impact