FALMOUTH — “Grey’s Anatomy” actor Patrick Dempsey (a/k/a “Dr. McDreamy”) got in front of the microphones Saturday and came across as anything but a Hollywood star.

He thanked sponsors, athletes, volunteers and corporate executives who make the Dempsey Challenge possible.

He heaped praise on volunteers and organizers who help those with cancer.

He teared up as he talked about his mother surviving cancer three times, and how he met with cancer patients Friday.

For the second year in a row, the Lewiston-native-turned-actor is unleashing his star power to help others.

“What a pleasure it is to be back,” Dempsey said during a news conference at the Portland Yacht Club. “It’s really quite special to return to Maine, to look out and see my mom who is a survivor,” he said while his eyes started to fill.

The second annual Dempsey Challenge, which raises money for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center, has more people signed up than last year, Dempsey said.

“I’m just so thrilled the event has done as well as it has,” he said. “We hope this is annual event.” In addition to helping patients, “it’s good for cycling. It’s good for state of Maine. It’s good for Lewiston-Auburn. And I get to see everybody I grew up with,” he said. “That’s fun.”

His mother, Amanda, was in the audience smiling. She’s doing well, Dempsey said as he waved to her, teased her about her shyness and praised her for going with him to Brunswick’s Parkview Hospital Friday to encourage cancer patients.

“She was talking a woman receiving treatment. The two of them had a magical connection because they understood what’s going on,” Dempsey said. She declined to say much, acknowledging she’s uncomfortable in the limelight and her son is not. “He doesn’t take after me,” she said with a chuckle.

Talking about the center, Dempsey said patients don’t have to pay for services, “which is incredible.” Peter Chalke, CEO of Central Maine Health Care, said challenge sponsors “really make it happen,” allowing 100 percent of the money raised by participants to go to patient care.

Portland Yacht Club commodore Chuck Sanders said he and his wife are cancer survivors, and thanked Dempsey for the center. “Those of us who lived through it understand the support is 90 percent of the cure.”

Center volunteers are cancer survivors who understand what patients are going through. “They make a big difference when someone comes in and they’ve just had the news” that they have cancer. That kind of diagnosis is overwhelming, Dempsey said. “You guys deal with that on a daily basis. I can’t thank you enough,” he said, fighting back tears.

He changed the subject swiftly.

“Cycling. Have I been training? Not enough. I love this sport.” He’s planning on biking the 50-mile event Sunday. “I’ll see how my legs feel and go from there. The point is to say hello to everybody, have a good time and see people.” He praised the professional cyclists “sitting in front of us right now.” They were Tour de France competitors Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner and Kevin Livingston, who are appearing in the challenge. For them travel from California and Texas to take part “is a tremendous honor and privilege. I can’t thank you enough.”

One of Dempsey’s goals is to create a race in Maine to develop young riders to give them a purpose, something healthy to do. “Cycling is a tremendous sport. I did it as a kid.” He wanted to cycle in the Olympics, “but I ended up juggling and going to Hollywood.”

Dempsey, who plays neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd, encouraged everyone to do what they can to stay healthy and prevent cancer. “Preventative medicine is really important. You’ve got to go in for your physicals. That’s going to make a big difference.”

But the weekend, he said, is about taking time to enjoy. “Express life right now. It’s remarkable we have the opportunity.”

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

Dempsey Challenge highlights today (Sunday, October 3)

5:30 a.m. – 7 a.m.

Packet pick up at Simard-Payne Police Memorial Park

7:30 a.m.

100-mile cycle group is released followed by 50-mile, 25-mile and 10-mile groups

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Festival in the Park including Health and Wellness Expo, Vendor Fair, KidZone, Food Court, Spirit of Hope tent, Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing tent, live entertainment, Lobster Trap (participants only), health screenings, Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk and more.

3:30 p.m.

Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk followed by closing ceremonies.

For more details, check online at www.dempseychallenge.org.