LEWISTON — Patrick Dempsey’s bicycling, running and walking fundraiser in western Maine to raise money for his cancer center has netted more than $1 million.

Nearly 4,000 participants took part in the fifth annual Dempsey Challenge on Saturday and Sunday, raising $1.1 million for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer, Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. The final tally is expected to grow to more than $1.2 million.

Additional Photos

Patrick Dempsey greets Jeni Schumacher of Greenville, S.C., before the start of the fifth annual Dempsey Challenge on Saturday in Lewiston. Schumacher, a nine -times melanoma cancer survivor, cycled from Greenville with 16 other cyclists on the team Challenge to Conquer Cancer. The group relayed over 1,300 miles and 5,550 feet of climbing on their route.
Patrick Dempsey greets Jeni Schumacher of Greenville, S.C., before the start of the fifth annual Dempsey Challenge on Saturday in Lewiston. Schumacher, a nine -times melanoma cancer survivor, cycled from Greenville with 16 other cyclists on the team Challenge to Conquer Cancer. The group relayed over 1,300 miles and 5,550 feet of climbing on their route. The Associated Press

More than 1,100 cyclists rode routes ranging from 10 to 100 miles on Sunday, with the actor making an appearance during the event’s closing ceremony.

Dempsey, a native of Buckfield, plays Dr. Derek Shepherd on TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” He launched the Dempsey Challenge after his mother’s experience with cancer. He founded the Dempsey Center in 2008.

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