YNOT – Over the past eight years, an annual golf-and-poker tournament organized by the co-owner of a Las Vegas gentlemen’s club has raised more than $1 million for prostate cancer research and patient support. This year’s event, scheduled to take place May 6-7, once again will donate proceeds to the Sapphire Foundation for Prostate Cancer.

The foundation and its tournaments represent a very personal cause for Peter Feinstein, managing partner for Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, which bills itself as “The World’s Largest Gentlemen’s Club.” Feinstein, 67, is a prostate cancer survivor.

“As a survivor, I’m extremely grateful for the support and assistance [I received during my battle with cancer],” said Feinstein. “I love working on these charitable events, as it allows us to shed light on prostate cancer, while at the same time raising money to fight it.”

In addition to funding research, the Sapphire Foundation focuses on providing financial and other assistance to men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

“We also hope to motivate men to get tested for the disease, as early detection proves to be crucial in the treatment process,” Feinstein said.

After his diagnosis, Feinstein spent most of a year undergoing treatment and recovering. At the end of the process, he “felt lucky to survive,” he said, and he wanted not only to help other men facing the same crisis, but also to do what he could to prevent the disease from striking again.

He immediately began contacting prostate cancer foundations. All of them rejected his offer of financial assistance because of his connection to the gentlemen’s club industry. That’s not an uncommon response, according to the former executive director of a national trade organization representing 4,000 adult entertainment clubs.

“The charitable groups are afraid of taking money from the strip club industry,” said Angelina Spencer, who rose from exotic dancer to trade organization leader and now serves as president of a Washington, DC-based public relations and lobbying firm. “Conservative organizations brand anyone who takes money from the industry as ‘pro pornography,’ and such an allegation can taint the group’s reputation.”

But Feinstein was not deterred. Instead of giving his money and fundraising assistance to someone else, he started the Sapphire Foundation in 2003.

“It just seemed like a worthwhile idea,” he said.

Although the foundation began by using funds raised in Las Vegas to help Las Vegas residents, the organization since has branched out and now also hosts events on the East Coast and distributes money nationwide.

The Sapphire Foundation for Prostate Cancer is a 501(c)(3) organization. It actively solicits not only donations and sponsorships, but also requests for financial assistance. Either may be directed to the appropriate representatives by calling 702-556-2100 or emailing the staff.

This year’s charity tournament is accepting reservations now. Feinstein said spots fill up quickly. For more information or to reserve a spot, visit the tournament’s webpage.

“If you want to play golf, donate to a very good cause and party with the most beautiful entertainers in the world all at the same time, the Sapphire Foundation for Prostate Cancer Poker and Golf Tournament is the way for you to do all three,” he said.