Q. What can I expect for 2023?
A. You can read about key updates and changes in our 2023 FAQs.
Q. Is the Dempsey Challenge virtual or in-person this year? +
A. The answer is both! On September 21st, you will have the opportunity to participate in-person at the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston, Maine, or virtually in the Virtual Dempsey Challenge from wherever you are, around the world. Choose your location, your activity and your distance, and set your fundraising goal. Then start training and asking friends and family to support your goal. We will come together as one unified global community in a celebration in-person and via livestream to celebrate $2 million fundraised on Dempsey Challenge weekend!
To stay connected with the Dempsey Challenge community as we train for the Challenge, join the Dempsey Challenge Strava Club and the Dempsey Center Facebook Fundraising Group. Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
A. Dempsey Challenge 2023 is happening now, culminating to a day of celebration on Saturday, September 23rd. Our goal is to fundraise $1.8 million that will go directly towards helping make life better for people managing the impact of cancer.
To stay connected with the Dempsey Challenge community as we celebrate 15 years together on September 23, join the Dempsey Challenge Strava Club and the Dempsey Center Facebook Fundraising Group. Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
A. In any way or any place you want! Register for the Dempsey Challenge presented by Karyopharm (in-person event located in Lewiston/Auburn, Maine) or the Virtual Challenge presented by Amgen Oncology (virtual event taking place anywhere, and in any way you choose). You’ll be supported and encouraged every step of the way as you complete your own Dempsey Challenge, regardless of how you choose to participate. Whether you are a returning participant or new to the Dempsey Challenge, let's RALLY TOGETHER!
Choose your event on Saturday, September 23rd:
- Dempsey Challenge 5K presented by Poland Spring® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water
- In-person event
- Choose to run or walk an inspiring 5K course that starts and ends at the Festival in the Park
- Dempsey Challenge Rides presented by Specialized
- In-person event
- Riders will choose a 5.5-mile family ride, 25-, 50-, or 65-mile metric century cycling route
- NEW Dempsey Duathlon event!
- In-person event
- Participants will run 4.5 miles, change gear at the rest stop, hop on their bike and complete a 21.5-mile ride to the Finish!
- Virtual Challenge presented by Amgen Oncology
- Virtual event
- Participants pick any activity (run, walk, ride or other), complete the activity any time on Challenge weekend and submit to earn an official Virtual Challenge Finisher patch
To stay connected with the Dempsey Challenge community as we #Celebrate15 on September 23rd, join the Dempsey Challenge Strava Club and the Dempsey Center Facebook Fundraising Group. Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
A. No. All are welcome to join us in Lewiston/Auburn, ME for an in-person Dempsey Challenge event experience. With safety as our priority, please note CDC and Maine state health practices will be followed.
A. Yes - you can change from the Virtual Challenge to the in-person Dempsey Challenge by September 20th. After that date, you'll need to visit the Troubleshooting Tent on event day to switch from a virtual participant to an in-person participant in order to receive the correct bib. As a reminder, in order to participant in the in-person Dempsey Challenge, you will need to hit your fundraising minimum based on your participant type.
If you’ve already registered for the in-person Dempsey Challenge and decide you do not want to attend in person - no problem! Just complete the Challenge virtually on your own route!
To change your location, please contact [email protected].
A. Yes, a fundraising commitment of $250 is required to participate in the Dempsey Challenge, with your registration fee counting towards that total. ($250 fundraising - $60 reg fee = $190 left to hit your goal!)
Youth participants ages 18 & under* receive registration and fundraising discounts as outlined below:
- $30 registration with a suggested fundraising goal of $125
- *Age as of 9/23/2023
There is no penalty if you do not hit your fundraising minimum as a Virtual Challenger. However, as a Virtual Challenger, you have ability to earn the same incredible fundraising incentives, shipped directly to you after the event.
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected].
A. We no longer have a dedicated Dempsey Challenge app, however you can save the Dempsey Challenge website to the home screen of your smartphone. You will have immediate access to your Participant dashboard and updated information on the website.
iPhone Instructions:
- Delete the old Dempsey Challenge app if you currently have it downloaded to your phone by holding the icon down and choose "Remove App" to uninstall.
- Launch Safari on your iPhone and navigate to dempseychallenge.org.
- Tap the Share icon
(the square with an arrow pointing out of it) at the bottom of the screen. - Scroll down to the list of actions and tap Add to Home Screen. (If you don't see the action, scroll to the bottom and tap Edit Actions, then tap Add next to the Add to Home Screen action. After that, you'll be able to select it from the Share Sheet.)
Android Instructions:
- Delete the old Dempsey Challenge app if you currently have it downloaded to your phone by holding the icon down and choose "App Info" on the shortcut screen and choose "Uninstall" to remove.
- Launch “Chrome” app and navigate to dempseychallenge.org.
- Tap the menu icon (3 dots in upper right-hand corner) and tap Add to Homescreen.
A. To stay connected with the Dempsey Challenge global community as we gear up for a powerful weekend in September you can join the Dempsey Challenge Strava Club here. We’ll have challenges, online events and amazing incentives along the way to keep you motivated! Click here for a How To guide to Strava.
Q. What is the registration fee for Dempsey Challenge 2023? +
A. The registration fee for Dempsey Challenge 2023 is $60 for one event, or $100 for the new Dempsey Duathlon. Youth participants ages 18 & under receive a 50% discount on both a single event or combo event registration.
Registration fees count towards your fundraising goal, and includes a t-shirt to welcome you to the Dempsey Challenge community. In-person Dempsey Challengers will receive their t-shirt on event day, along with any fundraising incentives earned. Registration deadline for Virtual Challengers to receive a t-shirt in time for Challenge weekend is September 1, 2023. All other shirts will be shipped after the event.
A. Please see age guidelines below:
- DEMPSEY CHALLENGE 5K RUN/WALK - All ages welcome for the in-person Dempsey Challenge run/walk. Children who will be in a stroller do not need to register and will not receive a bib and/or registration swag.
- DEMPSEY CHALLENGE RIDE - All ages are welcome for the family-friendly 5.5-mile ride and the 25-mile ride. Participants must be 15 years old on or before September 23, 2023 in order to participate in the 50-mile and 65-mile metric century ride or Dempsey Duathlon.
- VIRTUAL CHALLENGE - Any and all ages are welcome to participate in the Virtual Dempsey Challenge.
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected].
A. Visit dempseychallenge.org and click register.
First, you will choose Participant Type:
- Virtual Challenger to take part in the virtual event on September 23rd
- Adult 5K Run/Walk OR Youth 5K Run/Walk (ages 18 & under)
- To take place on Saturday, September 23rd in Lewiston, Maine
- Adult Ride OR Youth Ride (ages 18 & under)
- To take place on Saturday, September 23rd in Lewiston, Maine
- Adult Dempsey Duathlon OR Youth Dempsey Duathlon (ages 15-18)
- To take place on Saturday, September 23rd in Lewiston, Maine
- 4.5 mile run to rest stop (must complete at a minimum 12-minute mile pace)
- 21.5-mile ride to finish line
Next, you'll choose your distance/ability:
- Dempsey Challenge 5K Run/Walk presented by Poland Spring® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water
- Choose either a run or walk
- Dempsey Challenge Rides presented by Specialized
- Riders will choose a family friendly 5.5-mile, 25-, 50-, or 65-mile metric century cycling route
- Or Dempsey Duathlon
- Participants must be at least 15 years of age and able to complete the 4.5 mile run at a 12-minute/mile pace
Lastly, you'll set your fundraising goals and get access to your customizable Participant Page.
A. Not at all! We encourage Dempsey Challengers to build blended teams of riders, walkers, runners, and virtual participants who choose their own Challenge! You can even create a team with members from different cities, states and even countries. Participating in the Dempsey Challenge has no barriers and is a great way to connect with family and friends from all around the globe. Many team captains choose to host Zoom fundraising check-ins, create train-for-the-Challenge Facebook groups or motivate each other in Strava. The possibilities are endless!
A. Of course! Simply email us at [email protected] and we’ll help you make your changes.
A. Because of our generous sponsors, 100% of funds you raise go directly to making life better for people impacted by cancer. In 2022, Dempsey Challenge participants fundraised more than $1.6 million to provide life-changing support services for cancer patients and their families. Check out the Fundraising Guide to help you achieve your fundraising goals!
Every dollar you raise helps to make life better for people managing a cancer diagnosis.
A. Yes, a fundraising commitment of $250 is required to participate in the Dempsey Challenge, with your registration fee counting towards that total. ($250 fundraising - $60 reg fee = $190 left to hit your goal!)
Youth participants ages 18 & under receive registration and fundraising discounts as outlined below:
- $30 registration with a suggested fundraising goal of $125
- *Age as of 9/23/2023
There is no penalty if you do not hit your fundraising minimum as a Virtual Challenger. However, as a Virtual Challenger, you have ability to earn the same incredible fundraising incentives, shipped directly to you after the event.
In-person Challengers: Please note that when you pick up your incentives in the park, your fundraising will be considered complete. No incentives will be mailed out to in-person Challengers post-event (unless pre-arranged).
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected].
A. Periodically, we will announce "Double the Donation Days" (DtDD) to help boost your fundraising. The Dempsey Challenge is fortunate to have a number of generous donors and partners who help rally our participants together to raise funds in new and unique ways. Each DtDD has its own unique qualifiers and are communicated in advance through e-blasts and social media posts. Typically, DtDDs only apply to online donations made through your fundraising page. DtDD funds run out quickly, so if you want to take advantage of these generous opportunities, tune in quickly! If your donation (fundraised or donated) qualifies, you will see a match on your personal fundraising page to help get you even closer to one of our amazing incentive prizes! Have a question? Please reach out to [email protected].
A. Once you log in to your Participant Center, you can edit your fundraising goal from your dashboard page. Simply click the pencil icon next to your current goal to adjust it.
A. Absolutely! Check out the Incentives page to see what you can achieve through your fundraising.
A. The fundraising incentive deadline is September 21st at 5:00pm ET. In-person participants will pick up earned incentives in the Incentive Tent during Challenge weekend. Virtual Challengers will be shipped incentives in October.
In-person Challengers: Please note that when you pick up your incentives in the park, your fundraising will be considered complete. No incentives will be mailed out to in-person Challengers post-event (unless pre-arranged).
A. Join our Dempsey Center Fundraising Group on Facebook and share them to the page using the hashtag #RallyTogether. Or email us at [email protected].
A. We will have volunteer roles for our in-person Dempsey Challenge event and will open volunteer registration in August, along with a complete list of volunteer opportunities.
Q. What can I do to help? +
A. Register and recruit! This year, we invite you to be part of our amazing community of fundraisers while riding, walking, running — or doing an activity of your choice! Register as a Virtual Challenger, choose your activity, set your fundraising goal (we suggest $300) and you’re in!
Imagine if every one of our 600+ volunteers fundraised at least $300 – that would mean $180,000 raised to support the Dempsey Center's mission of making life better for people managing the impact of cancer! Let's RALLY TOGETHER!
A. Your donors’ gifts are already hard at work providing vital services to people impacted by cancer. For a complete list of services, please visit dempseycenter.org.
Q. How do I donate to The Dempsey Challenge? +
A. Donate online with your credit card. Alternatively, you can mail in donations (check or credit card) using our Offline Donation Tracking Form. Please make checks payable to Dempsey Center. If you are donating to a specific participant, be sure to include the participant and/or team name to whom you are donating on the check memo line.
Dempsey Challengers: If you receive a check that is made out to you, you can endorse the check on the back to Dempsey Center.
Checks can be mailed to:
The Dempsey Challenge
P.O. Box 277
Auburn, ME 04212
A. Cash donations can only be accepted in-person at either Dempsey Center location (29 Lowell Street in Lewiston or 778 Main Street in South Portland). If you opt to do this, please include the name and address of the donor so we can send a thank you and tax acknowledgment.
For your convenience, a Donation Tracking Sheet is available.
A. Yes. The Dempsey Center is a nonprofit incorporated in the state of Maine and accepting donations from all 50 states. Our tax ID number is 82-1547129. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Donations received by the Dempsey Center will receive an acknowledgment for tax purposes. All online donations will receive a tax receipt instantly via email – please keep it for your records. If you donate via check, the name and address appearing on the check will receive a thank you and tax acknowledgment.
A. Individual donations are made directly to the participant and count towards their fundraising goal. To make an individual donation, choose Donate on the Dempsey Challenge home page. Use the participant search function by entering the participant’s first and last names and clicking the ‘search’ button. Scroll down to view results.
Team donations: If you want to make a team donation with the intention of distributing equal amounts to each team member, this must be done by CASH or CHECK only. We cannot divide a credit card donation. Please keep in mind that we only accept cash donations in person. Email [email protected] to make an appointment.
You can use our Team Donation Worksheet to split team member donations.
A. Definitely! Simply ask your HR rep to submit the paperwork to the Dempsey Center. Be sure to note the matching gift is for the Dempsey Challenge. Once we receive the matching gift, we’ll post to your Participant Page. Please note the time it takes to receive the actual gift can vary depending on your company. Some companies will send the money within a couple weeks of your request, while others take months to send the money.
Matching gifts are an easy way to increase your fundraising! Be sure to encourage your donors to submit matching gift requests to leverage your fundraising.
A. They can donate by credit card to your personal fundraising page and enter the amount in American dollars. Please encourage any international friends to donate online instead of by check.
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