Dempsey Challenge | Cancer Care & Support

Challenge Yourself.

Walk, run, or ride and make life better for people impacted by cancer in the annual Dempsey Challenge.

Join us in Lewiston, Maine or take on the Challenge virtually from anywhere in the world—Saturday, September 20th, 2025!

Registration Opens April 1st!

Are you up for the Challenge?

Each September, thousands of people break out their inner athletes and challenge themselves to take on a walk, run, or ride event to help make life better for people impacted by cancer by taking on the Dempsey Challenge.

100% of funds raised by Challenge participants provide personalized, holistic services at no cost to cancer patients, survivors, care partners, bereaved individuals, families, and other loved ones. Founded by actor Patrick Dempsey, this flagship fundraising event has raised nearly $20 million since its inception.

Celebrate, Honor, and Rally… Together.

Dempsey Challenge Weekend is a time to come together, both in-person and virtually, to show support for the clients supported by the Dempsey Center.

Challengers come together to RALLY in the event that means the most to them; to CELEBRATE everyone’s hard work training and fundraising to reach their goals; and to HONOR those impacted by cancer’s over-arching reach into their lives.

Your Support is Making a Difference

Taking on the Dempsey Challenge is more than participating in a 5k or cycling event. Taking on the Dempsey Challenge is becoming a part of the Dempsey Center community and committing to making life better for people impacted by cancer.

When you become a Challenger, you immediately start making a difference. Every single dollar you raise goes directly to the services provided at the Dempsey Center. Learn more about all of our services here.

Quick Facts

What is 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.

Where does Dempsey Challenge take place?

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.

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 do I participate?

You can register as an individual Challenger or join a team. You can also choose to participate in person by joining us in Lewiston or by taking on the Challenge virtually from anywhere in the world, however you want to participate!

Do I have to pay to participate?

The Dempsey Challenge is primarily a fundraiser, raising money for the no-cost services provided by the Dempsey Center to people impacted by cancer. Participation does require a Registration Fee and Adult Participants do have fundraising minimums to meet to participate in person.

Do I have to be from Maine in order to participate at the in-person event?

People from all over the world travel to Lewiston to take on the Dempsey Challenge in person and we welcome you to join us, too!

If I participate on a team, do all members of my team need to do the same activity or the same location?

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!

How do I register to Volunteer?

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.

Where does the money I’ve fundraised go?

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.

Is the Dempsey Center a 501(c)3 nonprofit and is my donation tax-deductible?

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.