Dempsey's 'challenge' raises more than $1.1M

Posted September 29, 2014 10:40 am

Associated Press

LEWISTON, Maine - Nearly 3,900 people helped raise more than $1.1 million for cancer care and support at the 6th annual Dempsey Challenge, organized by actor Patrick Dempsey in honor of his mother.

Aimee Arsenault, manager of special events and development at the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, announced the fundraising total at Sunday's closing ceremonies and added that it's still growing.

Dempsey, the "Grey's Anatomy" actor and Maine native, was one of the roughly 1,000 people who took part in Sunday's cycling events. Others raised money by walking or running.

The actor founded the Dempsey Challenge following the experience of his 77-year-old mother's battles with ovarian cancer. She passed away in March.

Associated Press File Photo, 2011Actor Patrick Dempsey, center, prepares to start the Survivor Walk with his mother, Amanda, right, and Amgen Breakaway from Cancer award-winner Laura Davis in Lewiston, Maine, on the first day of the Dempsey Challenge, Oct. 8, 2011. The sixth Dempsey Challenge went on Saturday without the woman who provided the inspiration for the fundraiser. Amanda Dempsey passed away in March.

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