Lewiston hosts 18th annual Dempsey Challenge
Lewiston’s Dempsey Challenge Brings Community Together for Cancer‑Care Fundraising
Lewiston, Maine – On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the city’s Simard‑Payne Memorial Park buzzed with energy as the annual Dempsey Challenge drew runners, walkers, cyclists, families, and children to a day of activity and fundraising. The event, the Dempsey Center’s largest community fundraiser, was held in person and streamed online, allowing participants from across the state to join virtually.
The program featured a full slate of options. Participants could sign up for a 5‑k or 10‑k run and walk, or choose from cycling routes of 25, 50, or 65 miles, with additional gravel rides for those seeking a different challenge. In addition to the athletic events, park staff set up a children’s zone, offering games and activities for the younger participants, while food trucks and beverage stands kept everyone fueled. An honor walk paid tribute to those who have battled cancer, and a ceremony later in the afternoon presented awards to top fundraisers.
The Dempsey Challenge marks the 18th anniversary of the Dempsey Center, a nonprofit that has served cancer patients, survivors, care partners, and families since its founding in 2008. Actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey, along with his family, established the center after his mother, Amanda, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The facility offers counseling, complementary therapies, and a range of support services—free of charge—to anyone affected by cancer.
Organizers set this year’s fundraising target at $1.9 million, a goal that reflects the center’s continued expansion of services and its commitment to providing comprehensive, cost‑free care. While the article does not report how much was raised, the event’s strong turnout underscores the community’s support for the Dempsey Center’s mission.
The day’s activities also highlighted the center’s broader impact. Volunteers and participants gathered to celebrate the center’s history, its growth over nearly two decades, and its ongoing role in providing compassionate care to those in need.
As the Dempsey Challenge returned to Simard‑Payne Park, it once again demonstrated how a community can rally around a shared goal—raising vital funds and raising awareness for cancer‑related care—while offering a day of fun, fitness, and fellowship for residents of Lewiston and beyond.
