2023
Annual Report
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A Message from our Founder
I’ll be honest with you—this past year was a difficult one. At the Dempsey Center, we saw an exponential increase in demand for services as cancer diagnoses continued to rise. As a state and community, we experienced an unimaginably tragic loss when 18 people lost their lives in the mass shooting in Lewiston. The grief and ache this past year felt almost insurmountable.
Yet we preserved by turning out instead of in, by looking toward each other for support instead of away from each other in pain or fear. This is what I love about my home state of Maine. When we come together, we find the strength to endure.
Thousands of you came together to help provide comfort, connection, compassion, and choice—all at no cost—for clients at the Dempsey Center by participating in the Dempsey Challenge in 2023. You rallied together and raised a record-breaking $1.8M to help make life better for people impacted by cancer. And thanks to the year-round, tireless work of dedicated donors, corporate partners, foundation funders, volunteers, Board, staff, and Dempsey Challenge participants, we were able to serve over 2,700 individuals impacted by cancer in 2023, offering a haven of support to those navigating a cancer journey.
We have much work ahead of us as we continue to strive to revolutionize cancer care. With your help, we can change the shape of oncology care to include the personalized, integrative services the Dempsey Center offers here in Maine, across the nation, and across the globe.
Thank you for all the ways you have helped make this work possible, and for all the way you will do so in the future.
About the Dempsey Center
We support cancer patients, survivors, care partners, and their loved ones improve their emotional, physical, functional, and social/familial wellbeing through their unique, individual journeys with cancer. Support is provided at no-cost in-person in Lewiston and South Portland, Maine and virtually via Dempsey Connects. Our direct support staff is highly-trained in the field of oncology and are licensed in the State of Maine and for some, others states in New England.
Our Mission and Vision
The mission of the Dempsey Center is to make life better for people impacted by cancer.
We seek to have our model be an integral part of the accepted standard of oncology care, leading the way with like-minded partners, across integrative health systems globally.
How We Support Clients
- Counseling (adult + youth)
- Support Groups
- Nutrition Consultations and Workshops
- Movement + Fitness Classes, Workshops, and Consults
- Lodging
- Clayton’s House
- Bodywork Therapies
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Reiki
- Wellbeing Support
- Comfort Care Items
- Dempsey Dogs
- Wig + Headwear
The Dempsey Center through the years
2008
2017
2020
2022
2023
Founded as part of Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine.
Established as an independent 501(c)3 and merged with Cancer Community Center to expand to South Portland, ME.
Virtual service offerings started to allow clients from across Maine and around the world to access support.
Clayton’s House opened to provide a no-cost home-away-from-home for people who have to travel for cancer treatment.
Virtual support expansion to offer classes and workshops in an on-demand setting via Dempsey Connects.
2023 by the Numbers
2,734
Cancer patients, survivors, care partners, and their loved ones
23,626
+24%
In-person and virtual visits, both for one-on-one and group support offerings
Demand for all services continues to climb year-over-year
2023 Client Data
Clients who reported “Satisfied” or “Very Satisfied” with DC Services*
91%
Average Number of Visits per Client
8.6
Visits Completed Virtually
59%
# of Maine Counties Served
16
New Client Orientations Completed
1,539
Stays at Clayton’s House
161
Percent of Clients who identify as a Patient
58.6%
*based on most recent Client survey (Feb 2023)
2023 Client Reach
+ District of Columbia
Dempsey Center volunteers work hand-in-hand with our highly-trained staff members to help clients at any stage of their journey find connection. The shared experiences clients have allow them to create deeper, more meaningful relationships that can encourage them along the way.
7,237
Programmatic Highlights
Thanks to a generous grant from Hannaford Helps, we were able to install additional technology to expand our virtual support services to guests staying at Clayton’s House, our hospitality home in Portland, ME.
Dempsey Challenge 2023
This past September, we celebrated the 15th anniversary of that annual run, walk, and ride event, and you all made the 15th Dempsey Challenge a resounding success through your care and commitment to the Center’s mission.
Together, you made the 2023 Dempsey Challenge our biggest fundraising event ever.
On behalf of everyone at the Dempsey Center, we thank you for your tireless energy and deep compassion. When I had the honor of setting the intention for the day at Opening Ceremonies, I offered an idea to hold that day (inspired by you all)—Keep Going. There’s no doubt that each of you ran (and walked and rode!) with it, as your efforts left all of us in awe of you.
$1,838,286
2284
Where We Were in 2023...
Our 2023 Financials
Management + General
5.2%
In-Kind
1.9%
Merchandise
1.3%
*based on Audited financial statements for fiscal year ended June 30, 2023
What’s Happening in 2024...
dempsey challenge 2024
Rally together with us on Saturday, September 21st! Join us in-person or virtually to run, walk, or ride in support of people impacted by cancer.
CDS Funding
Thanks to support from Senator Susan Collins’ office, we were awarded funds for a mobile unit to provide our in-person services to rural areas throughout Maine.
Rock Row
Our South Portland location is expanding and moving to Rock Row in Westbrook! We are currently in the design and development phase with the hopes to move in Spring 2025.
Deepening partnerships
Whether it is coming on board as a new event sponsor, naming a space at our new location in Rock Row, or supporting a specific service, our team is ready to create a partnership package to help you reach your organizational goals.
