LEWISTON — When Patrick Dempsey and his family arrive in Lewiston this weekend, they will be greeted by a throng of thousands — cyclists, runners, volunteers, cancer patients, cancer survivors, families — all of them there to support The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.

But in the crowd, one slight, smiling woman will be missing.

The one who started it all.

“Everybody sort of mourns in their own way and I think I won’t be alone in that. There will be a lot of people sharing in that loss of someone they’ve lost this year,” Patrick Dempsey said. “We’ve gone through … a big cycle of what it means to have someone in your family affected by cancer and this is part of that journey. This is what we’re living in the moment.” 

A successful actor with a popular TV show, it’s Patrick Dempsey’s name that graces the six-year-old center at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. But it was his mother, Amanda Dempsey, who had served as his inspiration.

Amanda battled ovarian cancer for 17 years. She died in March at age 79.

Mary Dempsey, the middle child of three, is careful never to say that her mother lost her battle with cancer. A fiercely determined fighter, Amanda always disliked the phrase. People fought, she said. Courageously. And they beat up cancer along the way.

“Did she lose? I don’t even know I can say she lost,” Mary said. “We lost. Family and community lost.”

There will be a lot of firsts for the family this weekend. The first time home for Patrick, the youngest, and Alicia Hatten, the oldest, since their mother died. The first time they attend The Dempsey Challenge, the center’s largest fundraiser, without her support behind the scenes. The first Survivor’s Walk without Amanda leading.

This year, her family will lead the walk in her honor.

“That will be hard. That will be different,” Mary said.

But there’s comfort, too, in being with people who know what it’s like to battle cancer. And comfort in helping the center that she inspired. 

“Her name lives on,” Hatten said. “Not everyone gets that (opportunity), unfortunately.”

All three of the Dempsey children say their work for the center will not wane. Mary, who lives in the area, serves as assistant director on site. Patrick and Hatten, who live out of state, support it from afar.

“In the beginning, I was less involved, and as time goes on I want to be more involved,” Hatten said. “Just going there every year and now with my mom gone, I feel I should step in there.”

They hope to expand the Dempsey Center’s reach, giving it a bigger presence and connection to other, similar centers.

“My goal is to really have a strong online community and a community with other wellness centers throughout the world,” Patrick said. “There’s a lot out there that we need to find and identify and to bring back that can help our community. And I think we have a lot to offer other communities. I don’t think you can replicate or build another Dempsey Center. I think it stands alone because of what it is and who it is and why it has come about, because of our community.”

Patrick, who will arrive in Maine between his Thursday appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and his weekday taping for “Grey’s Anatomy,” said he’ll spend part of the challenge just catching his breath. 

“The thing is, we try to let it have its own life. I just try to be as present as possible and see where it takes us,” he said.

Then he added, “I really look forward to coming home.”

ltice@sunjournal.com

LEWISTON — He’s a movie star. A race car driver. McDreamy on the ABC hit show “Grey’s Anatomy.”

A local son.

And this weekend, Patrick Dempsey will return to Lewiston for the sixth annual Dempsey Challenge, the year’s largest fundraiser for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.  

Dempsey, who was born in Lewiston and grew up in Buckfield and Turner, will lead Saturday’s Survivor Walk with his family. On Sunday, he will ride with other cyclists in the 50-mile trek.

Dempsey will also host a number of public events, including:

* First day opening ceremonies, 7 a.m. Saturday at the starting stage at Simard-Payne Memorial Park, 46 Beech St., Lewiston

* “Thank You,” 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the entertainment stage at Simard-Payne Memorial Park, 46 Beech St., Lewiston

* Second day opening ceremonies, 6:45 a.m. Sunday at the entertainment stage at Simard-Payne Memorial Park, 46 Beech St., Lewiston

* Closing ceremonies, 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the entertainment stage at Simard-Payne Memorial Park, 46 Beech St., Lewiston

For more information, visit dempseychallenge.org.