The V Foundation for Cancer Research has announced a new collaboration with FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital of Pinehurst.

The foundation has awarded FirstHealth a $50,000 grant to fund public health initiatives in North Carolina. These initiatives follow an important common thread of public awareness, educational opportunities, and printed materials regarding prostate cancer, a news release said.

The funding will allow the hospital to promote outreach education, community screenings and clinical treatment to increase the survivorship of prostate cancer throughout North Carolina.

The Foundation of FirstHealth is a private, nongovernmental, not-for-profit health-care network serving 15 counties in the mid-Carolinas. Its partnership with The V Foundation aims to provide free mobile prostate screenings throughout a five-county region in North Carolina, specifically targeting the underserved populations in the area.

In addition, the hospital will be able to establish the CARE-Net Survivorship Program, a pilot program that provides emotional support, referrals to resources and assistance navigating the medical process for those facing this disease.

"We are very excited to begin a relationship with FirstHealth," said Nick Valvano, CEO of The V Foundation, "We hope that through our collaboration with their organization we can make large strides in our fight against cancer."

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, more than 218,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Of those, more than 27,000 men will die from the disease.

The V Foundation and FirstHealth recognize the dual need for public awareness and access to resources for patients and families in the mid-Carolina region.

"We are extremely gratified to receive this generous contribution," said Kathleen Westover, president of the Foundation of FirstHealth. "We are enthused to partner with The V Foundation whom we consider an incredibly noteworthy organization.

"Laura Kuzma, our CARE-Net coordinator, has become keenly aware of the unmet needs facing prostate cancer patients -- ranging from early awareness and education about the disease, dealing with treatment plans once diagnosed, and resources for transitioning to the role of 'survivor.'

"Thanks to The V Foundation, Laura and her corps of volunteers will now be empowered to serve our patients in a pro-active manner as we continue our search for the cure."

Since its inception, The V Foundation has raised more than $70 million to fund cancer research. This initiative was primarily funded through the 14th annual Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic, which took place in Pinehurst last August. The 2008 Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic is scheduled for Aug. 10 at the world-famous Pinehurst Resort.

Anyone needing more information on The V Foundation can log onto www.jimmyv.org or call toll-free (800) 4JimmyV. More information about the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic is available at www.golfclassic.org or by calling (919) 319-0441.

The V Foundation was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano to fund cancer research grants nationwide. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than 280 cancer research grants in 37 states and the District of Columbia.

The foundation awards 100 percent of all new direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs.

The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic brings together more than 60 celebrities, 100 local and national sponsors and more than 600 volunteers to raise money for cancer research.

Now heading into its 15th year, the Golf Classic has raised almost $13 million dollars.