Maine Native Patrick Dempsey to Host 15th Annual Dempsey Challenge Cancer Fundraiser in Lewiston September 23

Actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey is gearing up to host the 15^th annual Dempsey Challenge in his hometown of Lewiston. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, September 23.

The event allows thousands of athletes to walk, run, or bike to raise funds for the Dempsey Center, which aims to support people and families impacted by cancer. The Center was founded in 2008 in honor of Dempsey’s own mother Amanda, who battled the disease numerous times before passing in 2014.

Per the event’s website:

“100% of funds raised by Challenge participants helps provide personalized, holistic services AT NO COST to cancer patients, their loved ones, and care partners.”

This year, the Challenge is a one-day event where participants can choose to take part in a 5K run/walk, a 10-, 25-, 50- or 65-mile metric century cycling event or a new 25-mile event, or “duathlon”, where participants run 4.5 miles and ride 21.5 miles to the finish line.

This will be followed by the 15^th Annual Survivor Walk. Those who are unable to attend can also participate in a virtual version of the Challenge.

Participants can join as teams or as individuals. And if you’re not up to participate, you can also volunteer, sign up to spread the word, or just cheer everybody on. To sign up, visit the Dempsey Challenge website.

Dempsey was recently joined by, as she refers to it, two-time cancer thriver and Good Morning America host Robin Roberts in conversation at The Music Hall in downtown Portsmouth. The pair discussed finding your purpose in life.

To hear to my full interview following the event with both Patrick Dempsey and Robin Roberts (in which we also talk Grey's Anatomy and the Celtics' recent moves), CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.