Patrick Dempsey Center

Patrick Dempsey is an American actor, known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd ("McDreamy") on the medical drama "Grey's Anatomy". Prior to "Grey's Anatomy" he made several television appearances and has also participated in several films.  

Dempsey has created "The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing". The inspiration behind this was his mother's struggle with cancer. To be more exact, in 1997, Dempsey's mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her cancer has relapsed five times over the past fifteen years. 

As Patrick Dempsey on his website states:

"The mission of The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing is to provide the highest quality of education, support and wellness services to enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and communities touched by cancer. We strive to embrace the whole person including body, mind and spirit in a respectful, inclusive and healing environment.

The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing is an integral part of cancer care at The Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center and affiliated cancer clinics at Bridgton and Rumford hospitals. Located on the CMMC campus, the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing provides support, education, and health promotion for those touched by cancer.

The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing's warm, inviting environment includes a cancer resource library replete with a dedicated computer station for patient/public use that allows internet access to virtual cancer resources. The Patrick Dempsey Center includes an integrative medicine treatment room and dedicated space for cancer support group meetings and educational programs.

The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing also supports:

    1. Professionally-facilitated cancer and caregiver support groups both at Central Maine Medical Center and in outlying communities.

    2. Wellness/Integrative Medicine Services and classes, such as therapeutic massage, reiki, yoga, tai chi, and more.

    3. A toll-free Cancer Assistance Line providing information about local, state, and national resources and services for those living with cancer.

  4. A dedicated outreach oncology social worker to provide counseling, case management, support groups and educational programs in rural communities where people are often underserved.

     5. Financial counseling service to discuss the financial impact of cancer care and how it can be managed.

    6. A dedicated Cancer Health Outreach Educator, providing expertise in cancer prevention and cancer-related health promotion and outreach for underserved and at-risk populations in Androscoggin and Oxford counties.

    7. A panel of experts on a variety of cancer-related topics who are available to present to community groups and organizations."

It has to be mentioned that "The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing" provides free services through a generous seed donation from actor Patrick Dempsey and from other philanthropic sources.

For more information about "The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing" don't forget to visit Patrick Dempsey's website: http://www.dempseycenter.org/

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