Daniel Webster College Hosted College Basketball “Charity Jam” Fundraiser

- Invitational tournament organized by student-athlete will benefit Leukemia Research Foundation -

NASHUA, N.H. - On Sunday, April 5, Daniel Webster College Athletics hosted the inaugural "DWC Charity Jam," a one-day invitational men's basketball tournament to benefit the Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF). The tournament featured players from several New England-area colleges and universities playing 20-minute games in a double-elimination format with a 30-minute championship game at the conclusion of the day.

The tournament was created and organized by student-athlete and women's basketball standout Joyce Chagan of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Chagan, a sophomore guard who helped power the Lady Eagles to their best season ever and a bid to the New England Collegiate Conference championship game, was inspired by the memory of her father to create a unique way to raise money for leukemia research.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of blood cells, usually white blood cells. It's a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases including acute and chronic leukemia. In 2005 Chagan's father succumbed to pneumonia while undergoing chemotherapy to treat acute leukemia.

Chagan's goal is to raise at least $1,000 for LRF, which she hopes will be channeled to research efforts to find alternative treatments for secondary complications such as pneumonia, and alternatives to chemotherapy.

"The response has been great," Chagan said. "The plan was to have 10 teams compete, and so far 13 teams have applied. Everyone I've spoken to and everyone who has reached out to me about the event has been really enthusiastic."

"What has impressed us the most has not only been Joyce's commitment to such a worthy cause, but her organization and planning," said Phil Rowe, assistant vice president for student affairs. "Joyce approached us with the idea, and we encouraged her to create an action plan, but she had already done so. She has rallied fellow student-athletes to volunteer, designed and sold tee shirts, and has garnered sponsorships from several area businesses."

The DWC Charity Jam will take place in the Mario Vagge gymnasium on the Daniel Webster College campus, and will feature seven-player teams playing timed games in which the first team to reach 16 points, or the one with the highest score at the 20-minute mark wins. The tournament is double-elimination format, and the championship game will be played to 21 points or the best score in 30 minutes. The first contest tips-off at 11:00 a.m.

"The Leukemia Research Foundation is thrilled to have Joyce continue the fight to find a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers," said Carl Alston, LRF spokesperson. "The worldwide medical research she is helping to fund through the ‘DWC Charity Jam' makes a difference to patients and families each day."

The DWC Charity Jam is open to the public, admission is a minimum $2.00 per person donation to LRF at the door, but larger donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information about the DWC Charity Jam, to sponsor or to donate, please contact Daniel Webster College Athletics at 603-577-6648, or e-mail belbin_ken@dwc.edu.

About Daniel Webster College

Daniel Webster College; a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) institution located in Nashua, New Hampshire; educates purposeful men and women for professional entry, advancement, and advanced studies in the fields of aviation, computer science, management, engineering, and social science. Academic programs emphasize the integration of theory and practice inside and outside of the classroom, and a diverse portfolio of on-campus and residential programs and activities help to shape future leaders. Daniel Webster College student-athletes-the Eagles-compete in NCAA Division III and the New England Collegiate Conference.