• Be creative!
• Be funny!
• Be inspiring!

Here’s what you need to do:

Snap a photo of your sticker in a creative way and submit in one of three ways.

• Post on the Dempsey Challenge Facebook Page
• - or tag the Dempsey Challenge in the photo
• - or e-mail your photo to: info@dempseychallenge.org

The most creative entries will be selected by Dempsey Challenge staff and the winning photo will be selected via random draw. Enter as many times as you like!

The contest will run from June 1 through Aug. 31, 2013.

To order your Dempsey Challenge sticker, email your name and postal address to  info@dempseychallenge.org and request one today!

WHEN: Thursday, May 23 | 5 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: Dempsey Center
29 Lowell Street, Lewiston | Map

Spring has sprung! Please join us for our second annual Dempsey Challenge Spring Kickoff on Thursday, May 23 at 5 p.m. at the Dempsey Center. We will be featuring a special Dempsey Center video, and have information and tips to help you get cracking on your fundraising and training goals.

Be sure to bring friends, co-workers, kids and neighbors because everyone who attends will be entered to win a meet and greet with Patrick Dempsey at the 2013 Challenge!

• All attendees will be entered to win a meet-n-greet with Patrick during Challenge weekend!
• Enter to win door prizes including a $50 Gritty’s gift card and official merchandise!
• Promote your Independent Fundraising Event!
• Event staff on hand to answer questions!
• Have your photo taken with a life-sized Patrick cutout!
• Get a tour of the Dempsey Center in its new location!

Free admission – Light refreshments – No RSVP required.

Questions?
Toll-free: 1-866-990-1499 | info@dempseychallenge.org

“Specialized could not be more honored to be a part of such a great project,” said Mike Sinyard, found and CEO of Specialized Bicycles. “The work done by Patrick and the whole team at the Dempsey Center is very powerful in that it changes lives for the better every single day.”

Actor Patrick Dempsey, founder of the Dempsey Challenge, was pictured with the bike on the cover of the Jan-Feb issue of Bicycling.

“Bicycling was really excited and proud to play a role in the auction of the custom Roll 8 Rare to benefit the Dempsey Center,” says Peter Flax, editor in chief of Bicycling magazine. “When you put together a super-cool bike and a great cause, you know good things can happen. But the fact that we raised more than $13,000 out of one simple idea just blows me away.”

The Dempsey Challenge serves as the primary fundraiser for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing which provides free support and education to anyone impacted by cancer. The 5th annual Dempsey Challenge will take place Oct. 12-13 in Dempsey’s hometown Lewiston, ME.

The event features a 5K and 10K run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 12 and cycling rides of 10, 25, 50, 70 and 100 miles the following day. The 2012 event attracted 4,294 participants from 33 states and six countries and raised $1.2 million to benefit the Dempsey Center.

More information can be found at www.dempseychallenge.org

The event featured the Electricity Maine 5K and 10K run/walk on Oct. 13 and Exergy Development Group cycling rides of 100, 70, 50, 25 and 10 miles on Oct. 14. Actor and Maine native, Patrick Dempsey participated in the 50-mile cycling ride with professional cyclists Tom Danielson, Ted King, Freddie Rodriguez, Kristin McGrath, Ally Stacher, Alison Tetrick and paralympian gold medalist Matt Updike.

In response to his mother’s multiple battles with ovarian cancer, Dempsey founded the Center, which opened in March, 2008. The Challenge serves as the primary fundraiser to ensure services can be provided at no cost. It was the third straight year fundraising exceeded $1 million.

“It’s so great coming home. Look what this community can do,” said Dempsey during the closing ceremony. “There’s nothing that can stop us if we put our minds to it. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Andre Gosselin of Switzerland took top individual fundraising honors with $13,000 and Team Angela, comprised of 134 members, was the top fundraising team with $39,000.

“We are so grateful for the support of this community, and all of our wonderful participants and donors from around the world,” said event manager Aimee Arsenault. “The fact that we are able to continue to grow and break records in our fourth year, and in this economy, just shows how important this cause is to so many people. And as long as they’re willing to participate in the Dempsey Challenge, we’ll be here to make sure cancer patients and their families get the free support services they need.”

Along with the run/walk and cycling events, the Challenge also featured the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk led by Dempsey, his mother, Amanda and Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Award winner Kristen Short of Norway, Maine. Over 150 youngsters took part in the Auburn Firefighters Local 797 Kids’ Fun Run.

The event also played host to a family friendly Festival in the Park including the Concentra Health and Wellness Expo, TD Bank Positive Tracks KidZone, vendor fair and live entertainment.

The 2013 Dempsey Challenge is scheduled for Oct. 12-13. Registration is open at www.dempseychallenge.org.

Riccio, whose brother is a cancer survivor, has seen the disease affect his circle of friends, employees and their family members. He recently lost an employee’s Mother to cancer and decided to help raise awareness and funds for the Dempsey Center through the massive mobile billboard.

Among other destinations, the motorcoach will travel from Lewiston to Canada, Virginia, New York City and Washington D.C. throughout the year. A percentage of the proceeds from the bus, which is available by request, will benefit the Dempsey Center.

“I wanted to do my part and offer the bus as a means of promoting a great organization,” said Riccio. “You cannot measure the value of giving back.”

The bus will officially be named “Dorothy Nana Teehan” on behalf of employee Danielle Teehan and her family. It will be highly visible throughout Dempsey Challenge weekend, transporting participants and spectators to various locations.

Northeast Charter & Tour Co., Inc is a world class transportation provider operating 18 over the road motorcoaches traveling over 650,000 miles a year with passengers from around the world. Northeast also operates 24 school buses with divisions and programs in Winthrop, Lincolnville and Lewiston.

The Dempsey Challenge is the primary fundraising event for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, which provides free support, education and integrative medicine services to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. For more information, visit www.dempseycenter.org.

The Dempsey Challenge offers the Electricity Maine 5K and 10K run/walk on October 13 and Fundraising Rides presented by Exergy Development Group of 10, 25, 50, 70 and 100 miles on October 14. All events will begin and end at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.

The weekend will include a family friendly Festival in the Park which plays host to the Concentra Health and Wellness Expo, TD Bank KidZone, vendor fair and live entertainment. The Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk highlights the weekend. For more information, visit www.dempseychallenge.org.

For more information on Northeast Charter & Tour www.northeastchartertour.com.

Short had a bilateral mastectomy and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments in 2010 and 2011. She has made a significant impact on the community with her passion for music through performances at several benefit concerts for the Dempsey Center. She also provides a comforting presence to those going through cancer treatment, traveling from Norway to Lewiston offering encouragement to those who have little support.

In 2011, Short wrote, recorded and produced a music video for her song, “Chairs,” which chronicles her cancer journey and she dedicated to The Dempsey Center. Her inspiration came from the Dempsey Center, CMMC clinicians and fellow patients and their families. She has written and produced over 50 songs, recorded five CDs and sang the national anthem at the Dempsey Challenge starting line for the past two years.

“I am truly honored to be the recipient of the 2012 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Award,” said Short. “In the two years since my breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgeries and treatments, I have been blessed with the support of many wonderful people – my family, CMMC clinicians, the Dempsey Family, Dempsey Center staff and volunteers, fellow cancer warriors and their families, and supporters of the Dempsey Challenge. I am deeply inspired, and it brings me joy to spread hope to others facing health challenges by sharing my story, my music, my shoulders, my listening ears, my heart, and my time.”

“The Breakaway from Cancer initiative was born from the belief that it takes a team to fight cancer. We are proud to honor Kristen Short, who has been an integral member of that team for many individuals battling the disease,” said Bob Azelby, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “We applaud and thank Kristen for her commitment to others and to the fight against cancer.”

This year, Short and her family founded the Short Folks for Hope Foundation (www.shortfolks.com), a non-profit charitable foundation which raises funds and awareness for organizations that support families with health-related challenges. She donates fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of “Chairs” to the Dempsey Center, and her husband, Chris, provides photographic services. Following in their parents’ footsteps, the Short children have also created fun ways to raise money for charity. Allie, 11, sells crocheted goods through Yippie Yarn Creations; Ian, 9, an avid LEGO® builder, created Ian’s LEGOs®-To-Go where, for every bag purchased, he will also donate a bag of LEGOs® to a child undergoing cancer treatment at the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. And, five-year-old Isaiah created Bands & Badges of Hope, wrist bands and buttons that spread the message of hope.

Short will formally accept the award on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Champions for Hope Celebration, which recognizes the fundraising efforts of Dempsey Challenge participants. Past award winners include Carlene Sperry, Allen Lariviere, Scott Thomas and Laura Davis.

As part of Dempsey Challenge weekend, Amgen and the Dempsey Challenge invite all cancer patients, survivors and their families to walk with Short and actor Patrick Dempsey in the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk on Saturday, October 13 at 10 a.m. at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The walk is free to the public and there is no need to pre-register. Participants are encouraged to check-in by 9:30 a.m. at the Dempsey Center Spirit of Hope Tent in the Park.

Founded by Amgen in 2005, Breakaway from Cancer is a national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer — from prevention through survivorship.

Breakaway from Cancer represents a partnership between Amgen and four nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering patients with education, resources and hope, wherever they may be in the cancer care continuum. For more information, please visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com

For more information on the Dempsey Challenge, please visit www.dempseychallenge.org.

Back by popular demand! The Dempsey Challenge is thrilled to announce the Oncotones will be headlining the entertainment stage for the second time in three years! The Oncotones rocked the park in 2010 for the largest Dempsey Challenge crowd to date – 4,177 participants! They were unable to return in 2011 due to a scheduling conflict, and have committed to rock the Challenge in 2012!

The Oncotones are comprised of Amgen staff, healthcare professionals and professional musicians. They perform at various events to raise funds for organizations that provide services for patients and families affected by serious illness.

Here’s what’s happening on the main stage:

Saturday, Oct. 13

9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Camp of Rock

10:30 a.m.
‘Thank You’ from Patrick Dempsey

11:15 a.m. – 1 p.m.
BeSeven Band

Sunday, Oct. 14

10 – 10:30 a.m.
Maine Event Cheer

10:30 – 11 a.m.
Imari & the Sahara Desert Dancers

Noon – 3:30 p.m.
Oncotones

3:30 p.m.
Closing Ceremonies