Amgen Sponsors the Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope

Amgen is the presenting sponsor of The Dempsey Challenge, a cycling and 5K run/walk fundraiser and related events that will take place October 2-4, 2009 in Lewiston, Maine. Amgen is pleased to support The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center, the beneficiary of the fundraiser. The sponsorship also provides an opportunity to expand Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® initiative, which aims to increase awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients, from prevention to diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.

Breakaway from Cancer  will be prominently integrated into The Dempsey Challenge through a Breakaway from Cancer parade recognizing, honoring and celebrating cancer survivors. A Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Award will be presented by television and film actor Patrick Dempsey to a recipient who best represents the program’s passion for survivorship. The Central Maine Medical Center, which is organizing The Dempsey Challenge fundraising event for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing, is also organizing the survivor award and the parade. More details are available on at dempseychallenge.org, or from CMMC.

The Dempsey Challenge is the primary fundraiser for the Dempsey Center, which provides free education programs and wellness services to cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Dempsey Challenge registrants may choose to participate in one of four cycling tours (10-, 25-, 50- and 100-mile distances) or a 5K (3.1-mile) run/walk, all taking place on Sunday, October 4. The Dempsey Challenge offers fundraising incentive opportunities for participants, though no fundraising minimum is required.

Patrick Dempsey and professional cyclist George Hincapie are scheduled to take part in the 50-mile ride and other events during The Dempsey Challenge weekend. Both Dempsey and Hincapie have served as Breakaway from Cancer spokespeople, each of them inspired by the courage of a close family member who battled cancer.

A Breakaway from Cancer booth will be set up on site at The Dempsey Challenge’s Health and Wellness Expo on  Sunday, October 4, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.,  to share information about free programs and services available to people affected by cancer.

View the Dempsey Challenge Flyer (pdf)

For more information, visit www.dempseychallenge.org

Click here for past events.