The Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope, is a fundraising experience which benefits the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. Scheduled over the weekend of October 3-4, 2009, The Dempsey Challenge will start and finish in Lewiston, ME (headquarters of Central Maine Medical Center) and provide participants with both a 5K run/walk, as well as several distances of cycling rides throughout the beautiful Maine countryside. As a fundraising event, participants will be encouraged to raise money through various incentives, such as event merchandise, autographed memorabilia, tickets to the exclusive Champions of Hope Banquet and even a VIP group ride with Patrick Dempsey.

In the Spring 2008, Lewiston Maine opened the "Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing." Actor Patrick Dempsey donated $250,000 to the center and it began operations in April 2008. The center started with Dempsey's initial donation and has had contact with more than 2,100 patients and care-givers. The center offers support groups, counseling, yoga, massage and transportation. Dempsey's vision of this center is a way to reach cancer patients and families and meet their needs that do not get met in a traditional hospital setting.

Since the center opened in April 2008, they have drawn some big contributors:

• The Avon Corporation award the center with a $500,000 grant
• Tallen-Kane Foundation awarded it $25,000
• A Cocktail party fundraiser being held on Monday, January 5, 2009, being attended by Patrick Dempsey is expected to raise another $36,000

Dempsey plans to make this an annual 100-mile trek through Androscoggin and Cumberland counties. The trek will begin and end in Lewiston, Maine. The actor plans to cycle the entire route and hopes to draw thousands of people to the event. An invitation to the event will be extended to professional cyclist, Lance Armstrong and other celebrity cyclists. Dempsey hopes that Armstrong will accept the invitation.