LEWISTON, Maine — Actor Patrick Dempsey, nicknamed ‘McDreamy’ for his role on Grey’s Anatomy, returned to Lewiston this year for the 15th annual Dempsey Challenge.
The free event honors cancer patients and their families.
Participants ran and biked to raise funds for the Dempsey Center, which provides support for cancer patients.
This year more than 1 million dollars was raised. The top fundraising group raised more than 100,000 dollars.
Some volunteers here have special ties to this event.
“My father passed away 25 years ago of lung cancer during the ice storm of 98,” said volunteer Vicky Rucker. “If these services were available to him back then, it would have been something that would have been great.”
Some participants biked 65 miles for this challenge, happy to be here for a good cause.
“To support the Dempsey Center and have those resources and services, its critical for people,” said race participant Dave Tucci.
And there’s no age limit to participate: Dawn Robitaille is 92 years old and biked 25 miles.
“I’ve done all of the Dempsey rides that they’ve had since 15 years ago,” said Robitaille. “I’ve been the oldest guy all these years.”
Families affected by cancer joined together for an honor walk, a loop around the event.
Noelle Lambert, who made it onto season 43 of Survivor, took the stage encouraging folks to keep pushing. She lost her leg at just 17 years old.
Patrick Dempsey then took the stage, joined by his family, talking about his beloved mother’s battle with cancer. She later died in 2014.
“She loved talking with people and helping anybody she could with their cancer journeys, in a corner and very quiet,” said Mary Dempsey, Patrick’s sister. “We wanted to keep her legacy going.”
Saturday’s event makes folks proud to be a Mainer. Rucker is keeping her father who has since passed in mind today.
“Even though he couldn’t benefit from that, I am so glad to see people in the state of Maine are benefiting tremendously from the services that the Dempsey Center provides,” said Rucker.
