Actor Patrick Dempsey gives Nina Brown of Portland a hug at the start of Saturday's Dempsey Challenge 5K walk in Lewiston. Brown's husband, Chris Brown, passed away of colon cancer at the age of 51. "When he was sick, the Dempsey Challenge gave him something to focus on. To give him hope," Brown said.
Bev Kimpel of Freeport dances with her Dempsey Challenge team, Orange Dragons Against Cancer, prior to the start of Saturday's Dempsey Challenge 5K walk in Lewiston.
Actor Patrick Dempsey, second from left, rides into Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday at the end of his 25-mile bike ride.
Actor Patrick Dempsey signs the top tube of Susie Morton's bicycle Saturday during the Dempsey Challenge. Dempsey autographed Morton's bike at the rest stop in Lisbon during the 25-mile bike ride.
Eli Steere of Wells rides Saturday's Dempsey Challenge with "mom" written on the heel of his left cycling shoe and the word "dad" written on his right. Steere's parents are both cancer survivors.
Dempsey Challenge participants line up for the 5K run Saturday at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.
Isaak Anokye, 12, of Hebron talks with actor Patrick Dempsey on Saturday during the Dempsey Challenge. Anokye was with his grandfather, Tim Guerin, at the rest stop in Lisbon when he ran into Dempsey during the 25-mile bike ride.
Patti Robinson of North Yarmouth pins the participant number on her daughter, Abby Cornish, prior to the start of the 5K Dempsey Challenge walk Saturday in Lewiston. Robinson was 28 when she was told that she had cancer. Her daughter, Cornish, was 13 months old at the time.
Actor Patrick Dempsey talks with cancer survivor Susie Morton on Saturday during the Dempsey Challenge. Dempsey autographed Morton's bike at the rest stop in Lisbon during the 25-mile bike ride.
Cameron Lauze, 14, rode 25 miles Saturday in memory of his grandmother, Janine Lauze, and aunt, Michelle Horger. Both Janine Lauze and Michelle Horger passed away from cancer.
Actor Patrick Dempsey shakes hands with Don Robitaille prior to the start of Saturday's Dempsey Challenge 25-mile bike ride. Robitaille is 92 years old.
Lewiston-Auburn 
