The V Foundation for Cancer Research has awarded the Foundation of FirstHealth a $50,000 grant to fund a regional public awareness program on prostate cancer that includes a series of free PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screenings.

Four free screenings will be hosted by FirstHealth Mobile Health Services at various locations during September and are scheduled as follows:

Sept. 1, 8 to 11 a.m., Walmart, 250 Turner St., Aberdeen

Sept. 8, 8 to 11 a.m., Leath Memorial Library, 412 E. Franklin St., Rockingham

Sept. 15, 8 to 11 a.m., Hoke County Health Department, 683 E. Palmer Road, Raeford

Sept. 23, 8 to 11 a.m., Montgomery County Senior Center, 315 N. Main St., Troy

Prostate-specific antigen is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland, and a PSA screening is a simple test that measures the level of that protein in the blood. A higher level of PSA may indicate some problem with the prostate, including the presence of prostate cancer.

Founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, the V Foundation funds cancer research grants nationwide. The supporting Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic has raised more than $13 million for cancer research over the past 14 years.

For more information on the free PSA screenings to be hosted by FirstHealth Mobile Health Services, call (888) 534-5333.