The New Hanover Community Endowment has awarded nearly $200,000 to Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP), according to an announcement Thursday.

The money, which will be distributed over the next three years, "will play a crucial role in supporting CCP’s mission to provide comprehensive care and support to children battling cancer and their families in New Hanover County," a news release stated.

Families with children who have cancer in New Hanover County often have to travel to Chapel Hill or outside the state to cities such as New York City, Houston or Philadelphia, for clinical trials and treatments, said Laura Allen, CCP executive director, in the release.

"This grant ensures we can continue delivering vital services such as transportation to treatments, lodging during out-of-town care and financial assistance for these families facing extraordinary challenges," Allen said.

Established in 2020 following the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health, the endowment’s initial fund has grown from $1.3 billion to more than $1.6 billion, according to the release.