Dempsey's 'challenge' raises more than $1.1M for cancer care and support

In this Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 photo, Patrick Dempsey, second from right, is seen in Lewiston, Maine, at the start of the 2014 Dempsey Challenge bike ride. (AP Photo/The Lewiston Sun-Journal, Russ Dillingham)

LEWISTON, Maine -- Nearly 3,900 people helped raise more than $1.1 million for cancer care and support at the 6th annual Dempsey Challenge, organized by actor Patrick Dempsey in honour of his mother.

Aimee Arsenault, manager of special events and development at the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, announced the fundraising total at Sunday's closing ceremonies and added that it's still growing.

Dempsey, the "Grey's Anatomy" actor and Maine native, was one of the roughly 1,000 people who took part in Sunday's cycling events. Others raised money by walking or running.

The actor founded the Dempsey Challenge following the experience of his 77-year-old mother's battles with ovarian cancer. She passed away in March.