DEMPSEY CHALLENGE AT A GLANCE

Each September, thousands of people break out their inner athletes to help make life better for people impacted by cancer by raising funds for the Dempsey Center through the Dempsey Challenge. 100% of funds raised by Challenge participants helps provide personalized, holistic services AT NO COST to cancer patients, their loved ones, and care partners.

HONOR	CELEBRATE	RALLY

WHAT IS THE DEMPSEY CHALLENGE?

The Dempsey Challenge is an annual run/walk/ride experience to benefit the Dempsey Center. With two physical Centers in Lewiston and South Portland, Maine, and our third, virtual Center—Dempsey Connects, which launched in 2020—our specially-trained team of experts provides curated, holistic care to people impacted by cancer in Maine and beyond. Founded by actor Patrick Dempsey in 2009, this flagship fundraising event has raised over $18 million for the Dempsey Center since its inception, with 100% of all funds raised going directly to client care.

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2024?

We've taken the Dempsey Challenge of the past and combined it into one day of inspiration, participation and celebration as we rally together to make life better for people impacted by cancer. On Saturday, September 21st, you'll choose to participate in a 5K run/walk, a cycling event featuring new distances (family-friendly 5 miler, 15-, 25-, 35-, 50- or 65-mile metric century) or our newest Challenge, a 25-mile event --our take on a duathlon-- that will challenge you to run 4.5 miles AND ride 21.5 miles to the finish line at the Festival in the Park!

In the afternoon, we'll come together to honor cancer survivors with the 16th Annual Survivor Walk, recognize the 2024 Amanda Dempsey Award winner and close out the day as we celebrate the top fundraisers at the Fundraising Award ceremony. 

QUICK FACTS

About The Dempsey Challenge

• The Dempsey Challenge is a run/walk/cycle event and is the flagship fundraiser for the Dempsey Center, founded by actor Patrick Dempsey. Patrick grew up in Maine, and wanted to help provide wrap-around support and care for people in Maine impacted by cancer after experiencing his own cancer impact when his mom Amanda was diagnosed in 1997.
• The event takes place in Lewiston, Maine every fall.
• In 2020, the Dempsey Challenge went global and introduced a complete virtual event. Today, the Dempsey Challenge is a hybrid event where participants can choose to participate in person or virtually - there are no barriers to get involved!
• The next Dempsey Challenge is September 21st, 2024.
• This will be the 16th consecutive Dempsey Challenge.
• Generous corporate sponsors cover the cost of the event, so every dollar raised by participants goes directly to the Dempsey Center.

Who can participate in the Challenge?

• No matter who you are, there’s a place for you in the Dempsey Challenge!
• Participants are all ages, have varying abilities, and hail from around the world.
• Volunteers and ambassadors love their roles and come back year after year.
• Dempsey Challengers are: riders, walkers, runners, volunteers, donors, fundraisers, kids, adults, and families — a community. People who want to make life better for people dealing with cancer.

How it works

• Participants can be part of a team or join as an individual.
• Participants can choose either the in-person Dempsey Challenge to take place in Lewiston, Maine, or can participate virtually as a Virtual Challenger.
• Participants receive support for training and fundraising from Dempsey Center staff.
• In 2023, Dempsey Challenge participants from all over the world raised over $1.8 million dollars!

How to get involved

• Register today to participate, fundraise, or volunteer!
• If you’re in the Lewiston/Auburn area on Saturday, September 21st, cheer for walkers and runners as they hit the pavement, or create a cheer station along one of the many bike routes throughout Maine!

KEY DATES

April 1, 2024

• Registration opens

September 19, 2024 12:00pm ET

• Fundraising Awards deadline
  • Top Fundraiser Awards to be recognized in the park
  • Deadline to raise $3,000+ to receive invitation to the Champions for Hope Celebration
  • College Cup + High School Challenge fundraising deadline

September 19, 2024 4:00pm-7:00pm ET

• Packet Pickup - Dempsey Center located at 29 Lowell Street - 5th Floor, Lewiston, ME 04240
  • Due to traffic, volume, and efficiency, we are offering Packet Pickup on Thursday and Friday at the Dempsey Center in Lewiston. If you’re unable to pick up your bib and t-shirt, a friend or family member may do it for you. We will be offering a small window for Packet Pickup at the Customer Service Tent, minimally staffed, and should be used for extenuating circumstances only. Please plan ahead or consider having someone else pick up your bib and packet for you.

September 20, 2024 10:00am-7:00pm ET

• Packet Pickup - Dempsey Center located at 29 Lowell Street - 5th Floor, Lewiston, ME 04240
  • Due to traffic, volume, and efficiency, we are offering Packet Pickup on Thursday and Friday at the Dempsey Center in Lewiston. If you’re unable to pick up your bib and t-shirt, a friend or family member may do it for you. We will be offering a small window for Packet Pickup at the Customer Service Tent, minimally staffed, and should be used for extenuating circumstances only. Please plan ahead or consider having someone else pick up your bib and packet for you.

September 21, 2024 5:00pm EST

• Final fundraising deadline for all other incentives
  • In-person Dempsey Challengers will pick up incentives in the park on Saturday, September 21st
  • Virtual Challengers will have incentives shipped post-event
• Deadline for Virtual Challengers to submit activity to receive official Virtual Challenger Finisher patch
  • Patches will be shipped in October

October 31, 2024 11:59pm EST

• Final deadline to accept donations

CONNECT WITH US!

• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook
• Connect with our community and join the Dempsey Center Fundraising Group on Facebook
• Join the Dempsey Challenge Strava Club