Patrick Dempsey Announces "Dempsey Connects" Virtual Center

According to News Center Maine, the Dempsey Center has gone virtual with Dempsey Connects. The Dempsey Center can't see clients right now because of the Coronavirus pandemic, but the need for their services is stronger than ever.

The virtual program has been part of the Dempsey Center vision to reach Mainers in more rural areas who are affected by cancer. COVID-19 made it necessary to speed up the process. The center was serving over a thousand people when the pandemic hit, and what was initially a plan to reach rural communities has become the new way to serve all of those impacted by cancer.

Programs that you will find on Dempsey Connects include:

Stress management
Nutrition
Movement and Fitness
Youth and Families
Education and Learning
Grief and loss.

I visited the new virtual space and found so many resources: websites, podcasts, videos, webinars, handouts and printables. There is so much information, including: talking to your kids about cancer, self care and the latest information about COVID-19 as it relates to cancer patients.

The Dempsey Centers are located in South Portland and Lewiston and provide programs that address the many physical as well as emotional needs of those impacted by cancer. The Dempsey Center is not a medical facility that offers cancer treatment, they provide holistic support to those who are affected by it; whether they are in treatment, are a survivor, a family member or friend of a cancer patient. All of the programs are free and available to anyone, regardless of where you are receiving treatment. The Dempsey Center is not associated with a hospital, they are a non-profit.

The center was started by Maine native Patrick Dempsey when his mother fought cancer.

the Dempsey Challenge, the center's biggest fund raiser, has gone virtual as well and you can learn more and make a donation here.