Chris Horner; Professional cyclist and 4 time Tour De France competitor has announced that he will take part in this years Dempsey Challenge.  Chris currently is riding on Lance Armstrong’s team and is placed 25th overall.

Also riding in the Dempsey Challenge is George Hincapie. George rode with Patrick Dempsey and team last year during the first challenge.

For more information about the Challenge please check out their site at http://www.dempseychallenge.org. It goes to benefit the Patrick Dempsey Cancer Center for Hope and Healing. A great foundation dedicated to helping those with cancer without charging the patients.  For more information about the Center please check out http://www.dempseycenter.org.

Shopping Mall where proceeds go to the Dempsey Center check out: http://www.angelsbandedforcancer.org

So we arrived Friday and went straight to registration, picked up our packets and went to the hotel.  Dinner that night, then up the next morning, breakfast, and off to the private ride. It was a beautiful rural setting.  Got there, and got my bike set up, chatted with a few of the Specialized folks who were there taking care of all the bikes, and some of the Dempsey Challenge folks as well.  Everyone was super nice. 

 Soon Patrick Dempsey, some friends. etc and some of the pro riders showed up. They as well were gracious, friendly, got to chat a bit with Patrick and a couple of the pro riders. It was raining but that didn’t matter.  Everyone suited up and we did some different group pictures.  The private ride was great, how often does a mere mortal like me get to ride with the likes of George Hincapie and crew?  It was a great ride, even in the rain.  We did a little over 20 miles that morning.  It was something I will always remember and treasure.

 There was a lunch reception after that, and I chatted briefly about the ride with PD. 

Saturday night was the dinner/reception.  Caught up for a bit with Christy there.  It was  a great reception and dinner, and then I had to go on stage for being top fundraiser.  Got a little nervous but managed to give a little speech on stage when handed a microphone to talk about my reason for being there.  I guess it never really occurred to me that I might have to speak on stage.  

Sunday morning we got up early, had a little breakfast at the B&B and headed down to the park where the ride started.  We lined up right the front because that is where the 100 milers lined up, and we were right in front of the stage for the announcements and PD’s speech. It was great to be in the midst of all these people who all came together for this wonderful cause.  So many people who had stories to tell theirs or a loved-one’s story of cancer.  And they all came out to help make things better for patients and their families who have to deal with that now and in the future.  Wow!  Talk about emotional.  Had tears in my eyes as I heard the opening speeches and the national anthem.  

  The ride got started a little late (I imagine something to do with getting streets blocked off in time or something, but not 100% sure), about 15 minutes delay.  At that point, I was just ready to GO!  When we did start, they started the Dempsey Group (Patrick and his friends) who were mostly doing the 50 first, then the 100 milers, the rest of the 50 milers, the 25 milers, the 10 milers and the the 5K runners/walkers I think. 

 I left with the 100 mile group, so I don’t know for sure how they spaced the start but I think just a couple of minutes between groups.  For us we were not going to push too hard especially at the beginning.  So, we just kind of cruised along at 14 or 15 miles per hour for the most part.   We knew the big climbs were coming at 22 miles for the first BIG hill.  Well, at mile 9, my hubby got a flat.  We (well actually he) spent about 20-25 minutes fixing that as it was being difficult.  Lots of flats because the rain the day before made for wet roads, which made the rocks stick to the tires more, which led to MANY people with flats.   Anyhow, they had a check point at 30 miles. You had to make that before 11 to be able to continue on the 100 mile route, between the delayed start and flat, we passed the point at 11:13 and we re-routed to a shorter, 70 mile course.  We were both a bit disheartened at that point.  All that we had trained for over the last 6 months was not going to happen. What kept me going however, was more powerful than the disappointment at knowing no matter what, I would not be completing the 100 miles today, it was the amazing feeling as we rode past the people who lined the roads.  Some on the street some in their own driveways.  

One lady in particular stood out to me.  She was an older woman standing there with a sign that said “Thank you.  I am a survivor.”  She had a smile on her face, a tear in her eye, and thanked us as we went by her.  It really brought tears to my eyes to see people being so directly affected by the work done by this center. 

 The story behind the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing  immediately drew me in.  That is why I chose to do this ride.  Fighting Cancer is more than a battle to fight a disease.  There is so much more that happens for the victim and their families, and I think it is beautiful that this center serves more than just the immediate physical needs of the cancer patients.  I wish that these things had been around for those that I have lost to cancer in the past.  The services could have really changed their quality of life when they were suffering the worst times of their lives.  It was a really wonderful event and I look forward to doing it for many years to come.

The Dempsey Challenge events were held this weekend in Lewiston, Maine. 2 of my personal friends attended the event; Shannon Gilmartin, was the top fundraiser and Christy Chase raised enough funds to attend the dinner as well.  Way to go girls!

The proceeds of the fund-raising for the event are to go to The Dempsey Cancer Center for Hope and Healing. A center that was put together by Patrick Dempsey in honor of his mother and her bout with ovarian cancer. He saw first hand how families of cancer patients and the patients themselves need a place to go for questions, alternative healing and more. This is what the cancer center provides. It is located in Lewiston, Maine.

Lots of fun tweets and pictures have come from the event. Patrick was very hands on for the whole event as was his sister and mother. 3500 riders and runners were participating

You can still donate to the Center online here: http://www.dempseycenter.org/content/4044/Ways_to_Give/

Other Blogs blogging about this event:

Dempsey Challenge – Local News Coverage « Maine Velophile

http://mainevelophile.wordpress.com/

Dempsey Challenge – Local News Coverage. October 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment. Dempsey Challenge – Local News Coverage. more about “Dempsey Challenge – Local News Coverage”, posted with vodpod …

The 2009 Dempsey Challenge! | Grey’s Gabble

http://www.greysgabble.com/

Here’s a video and a whooooole bunch of pics of Patrick Dempsey on October 4th 2009, cycling and being a part of the Dempsey Challenge. . To check out the Video of PD thanking everyone for coming along and supporting The Dempsey …

scenesfromME: Dempsey Challenge

http://scenesfromme.blogspot.com/

My husband participated in the Dempsey Challenge this morning, a bike ride/5K run to raise money for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing Dempsey Center . 3500 participants raised over a million dollars. …

Dempsey Challenge Recap « Maine Velophile

http://mainevelophile.wordpress.com/

Today was the Dempsey Challenge, a 100, 50, 25 or 10 mile bike ride with also a 5k run/walk in Lewiston, Maine. It was a large fundraiser for the The Patrick Dempsey Center at Central Maine Medical Center that “provides free support, …

Words Matter: First Dempsey Challenge is a hit

http://findingwords.blogspot.com/

In an attempt to generate funding, as well as continue to raise awareness about the center and what it has to offer, Dempsey announced in early 2009, The Dempsey Challenge, a bike ride of varying lengths—100, 50, 25, and 10 mile rides, …

Creative Options Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-10-04

http://creativeoptionsblog.com/

LOL) #; Participants in the first Patrick Dempsey Challenge century ride can expect a workout & then some in Maine this weekend. http://ow.ly/saz0 #; Coffee Kiss Illusion Sculpture by Tsang Cheung Shing http://ow.ly/sajl (older post but …

Melody on the Lam: MAINE XC FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS

http://melodyonthelam.blogspot.com/

Today I went to the Dempsey challenge with coach and Addie (and saw Patrick Dempsey). We met up with others from the team, as well as Shelby and her family. We dressed up in support of one of our team members moms and surprised her. …

And in the news:

Dempsey Challenge Raises $1-Million For Cancer Center
WCSH-TV, on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:50:34 -0700

Dempsey says his 50-mile ride was not only a personal best – but also an emotional one. The Dempsey Challenge raised about $1-million.

This article is regarding my friend Shannon Gilmartin and her quest to help the cancer center that has been put together by Patrick Dempsey: Dempsey Cancer Center for Hope and Healing.

Source: http://www.dempseychallenge.org/content/4106/Inspiration/

By Shannon Gilmartin

I guess my story with fighting cancer started out when I was 12.  My maternal grandfather was diagnosed with Lung cancer.  He had been a strapping, perfectly healthy man, right up until the day he wasn’t, and then he just deteriorated right in front of us.  He didn’t last long once he was diagnosed, it was already too progressed.

On that side of my family, he was followed by my Aunt Sherry who lost a battle with Breast Cancer, and Uncle Jarvey who lost his battle with colon cancer.  On the other side of my family, there was Great Aunt Emily who withered away in front of us, from a cancer that ravaged her whole body, my Cousin, Christian, in the prime of his life, who was just a year older than me, when he lost his battle with cancer in his mid 20’s, and my Uncle Frank, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in November 2001, and lost his battle in January 2002, just a couple of months later.  (My paternal grandfather also passed away from cancer, but this was before I was ever born, so I did not witness it)  So, for me, cancer is scary.  It has hit so many in my family.  Young, old, and in between.

There is no one type of cancer that hits our family, it seems to be anything and everything.  And it seems to hit really hard and fast.   I decided that my best option was to be as healthy as I could be, and do what I can to raise money and awareness to help fight cancer.  So, I began cycling.  To date, it has taken off over 25 pounds that I had put on from having my 3 wonderful children and after, and I am back to the healthy weight I was before I got married 11 years ago.

I also looked into many fundraising activities.  I read the story behind the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing, and was very touched by how someone so famous could be such a wonderful and inspirational person.  I have been a fan of his since Can’t Buy Me Love, many years back.   I admire him for being in the news for something positive, unlike many celebrities, and wanted to help make his first year with the Dempsey Challenge a successful event, and also one I could participate in annually.

As someone who has never ridden a bike so far before this, I am looking forward to completing the 100 mile bike ride as part of the first Dempsey Challenge, and to keep doing so for many years.  I will be carrying with me, pictures of some of those I have lost to cancer, as well as the picture of a friend who is now fighting his own battle with cancer, as further inspiration for my ride.

To donate to Shannon’s quest please go here: Dempsey Challenge Shannon Gilmartins Donation Page

Doesn’t he look cute? @ShondaRhimes posted this image on twitter today.. He is asking for support of his Cancer Center. Patrick Dempsey Cancer Center for Hope and Healing. The race is coming up soon and you can support those who are trying to raise funds to support it. I have two friends who are trying to raise funds for this event. Both plan to go to Maine October 4, 2009 and run/walk or ride to raise money for the cancer center.

The center is very important to families and patients dealing with cancer. This center gives patient and family support, integrative medicine, prevention and education and more.

Please donate to the center through Christy in honor of her father or to my friend Shannon in honor of her family that has been lost to cancer.  Even a dollar will help!

Other blogs tweeting about these things…

Shonda twitpics Patrick! | Grey’s Gabble

http://www.greysgabble.com/

Shonda twitpics Patrick! By Aussie Lee | August 28, 2009 |. Gotta love technology these days right Gabblers??!! Thank goodness Shonda does too because she’s recently snapped a pic of Patrick Dempsey and tweeted about it! …

Hello From Shonda Rhimes and Patrick Dempsey on Twitter | Grey’s …

http://tvfanaticsonline.com/greysanatomy/

For those of you who don’t follow Shonda Rhimes on Twitter, Grey’s Anatomy ‘s creator and executive producer shared a picture of Patrick Dempsey on the set today. Shonda wanted to send out a “Hello!” from the show’s leading man himself …

Hello From Shonda Rhimes and Patrick Dempsey on Twitter – Grey’s …

http://www.greysanatomyinsider.com/

ANyone who wants to donate to the Dempsey Center can do it through my fundraising page. I am biking 100 miles on October 4th for his charity! http://tinyurl.com/cwlo5f. One lucky donator will receive a signed PD picture that he …

Maine Red Claws News and Updates « I Love Portland Maine.com

http://iloveportlandmaine.wordpress.com/

I also understand the Maine Red Claws Dance Team will continue to make appearances around Portland with a showcase event on October 4 in Lewiston for The Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope, which promises to be a phenomenal event. …

Jack Bingham Landscape Painter: The Dempsey Challenge update

http://jackbingham.blogspot.com/

The Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope, a bicycle tour and run/walk event designed to raise both cancer awareness and funds for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing. I am participating in this event for 3 reasons, …