Dempsey Challenge raises $1 million for cancer

A net value of $1 million was raised for Patrick Dempsey's cancer center at his third annual bike run this past weekend in Maine.

Nearly 4,000 people were involved in this charitable effort to raise money for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. The Grey's Anatomy star founded the cancer center in 2008.

Hundreds of cyclists, including Dempsey, set off for the Dempsey Challenge on Sunday morning on routes ranging from 10 to 100 miles. These routes ran through Androscoggin and Oxford counties in western Maine. Spectators convened along the way to cheer on the cyclists.

The Dempsey Challenge attracted some renowned cyclists, including Levi Leipheimer, 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist and three-time champion of the Agmen Tour of California. Leipheimer rode as a guest professional cyclist in his second Dempsey Challenge.

Leipheimer told the Sun Journal of Lewiston that he noted that the Dempsey Challenge "has become a part of people’s lives here. They come out to the side of the road to cheer us on, and of course everyone wants to meet Patrick."