The second annual Playing for a Purpose field hockey jamboree, featuring 10 colorfully attired teams from around the state, did another wonderful job raising awareness and funds to combat different forms of cancer yesterday at Manchester Memorial's Chabot-McDonough Field.

“Everyone connected with the event should be proud,” said event coordinator Rebecca Libby.

Libby said 200 spectators attended the jamboree. As was the case last year, teams wore colored jerseys representing different forms of cancer.

There was black for melanoma (Memorial), dark blue for colon (Bedford), gray for brain (Sanborn of Kingston), orange for kidney (Souhegan of Amherst), white for lung (Stevens of Claremont), purple for leiomyosarcoma (Pelham), yellow for angiosarcoma (White Mountains of Whitefield), burgundy for multiple myeloma (Windham), teal for ovarian (ConVal of Peterborough) and light blue for prostate (Manchester Central).

Proceeds from the jamboree will go directly to Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Libby said the final fund-raising total from this year's jamboree won't be announced for another month.

“We're working with each team in all three divisions to participate in our goalathon,” said Libby. “Our goal is to sign up people who will donate one dollar for each goal their team scores this season. We're also seeking donations from the public including any major corporations in the state.” Libby said tickets are still being sold to raffle off a quilt at Memorial's first home game on Sept. 5 against Pinkerton Academy of Derry.

Anyone wishing to donate to Playing for a Purpose can contact Libby at 624-6359 ext. 19 during daytime hours weekdays at Southside Middle School.