Imagine jumping into the water of your local swimming pool knowing that you won’t be getting out for 12 hours! Imagine taking quick breaks only to visit the restroom or gulp down an energy drink. That’s what several dedicated and courageous swimmers plan to do on March 14th.

The Southeast Minnesota Chapter of MOCA is proud to announce the 3rd Annual Silent No More Marathon Swim to benefit the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance. The 2009 event is set for Saturday, March 14th at the Rochester Area Family Y (RAFY). The swim will be a 12-hour event beginning at 8:00am. Last year’s event involved nearly 100 volunteers and raised almost $12,000 for ovarian cancer research.

For 12 straight hours Mary E. Johnson, the gynecologic oncology chaplain at the Mayo Clinic, will swim, taking brief breaks for nutrition and hydration. She will be joined throughout the day by numerous other swimmers who will be joining the effort for a few minutes to a few hours. Johnson swam the two previous marathons and looks forward to the upcoming event. “The swim is really a media event to draw attention to ovarian cancer. It is also a great example of teamwork as people from all corners of the community come together for the cause.”

During previous Silent No More marathon swims, swimmers covered between 23 and 24 miles over the course of the day.

The Rochester Area Family Y is located at: 709 1st Ave. SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Their phone number is: 507-287-2260.