THANK YOU FROM OUR PRESIDENT + CEO
CARA VALENTINO
In 2009, Patrick, his family, and the Dempsey Center team had an idea—to create an event which not only brings together the communities of Lewiston and Auburn, but people from around the world to make life better for people impacted by cancer. 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.
What a day we had as we rallied together, joined by several special guests: Ethan Zohn (Winner of Survivor Africa and a cancer survivor himself), Noelle Lambert (American Paralympian and contestant on Survivor 43), our Founder, Patrick Dempsey, and of course, all of you. Together, you made the 2023 Dempsey Challenge our biggest fundraising event ever. Once the donations were fully tallied, Challengers raised $1,834,578 in support of our no-cost services for cancer patients, survivors, care partners, and their loved ones, breaking all previous Dempsey Challenge fundraising records.
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.
We’ve all experienced some unimaginably trying times, and with every step and pedal, you continued to prove that together—we can get through anything.
Thank you for the way you’ve kept going, and I can’t wait to keep going with you all at our sweet sixteen Dempsey Challenge event in 2024!
Cara Valentino
President + CEO
Dempsey Center
See the magic of Challenge...
Video Courtesy of Matt Beach, Cre8iv Co.
CHALLENGE 2023 BY THE NUMBERS
MAINE FUNDRAISING - LOCAL + VIRTUAL
- 1,647 Maine Participants (72%)
- $1,357,659 Total Raised by Mainers (75%)
- $824 Average Raised by Maine Participants
- 15 Counties Represented
DONATION STATISTICS
- 16,993 Donations
- 497 Donations of $500+
FACEBOOK FUNDRAISERS
- 443 Fundraisers
- $146,959 Raised
GLOBAL FUNDRAISING
- 259 Virtual Participants (11%)
- $171,841 Total Raised by Global Challengers
- 37 States (including Maine)
- 8 Countries Represented
DOUBLE THE
DONATION DAYS
- April 15th, $50,000 from Hall Family Foundation, raised $90,133.75
- July 13th, $25,000 from Rock Row, raised $47,206.34
- August 17th, $20,000 from WEX, raised $73,849.93
- September 19th, $25,000 from UNUM, raised $95,036.58
- Total Contributed from Partners: $120,000
- Total Raised from DTDDs: $306,226.60
FROM THE FOOD TENT...
- 60lbs Maine Blueberries
- 40gal Pancake Batter
- 14gal Maine Maple Syrup
- 4,925 Lobsters
- 170+lbs Locally-Sourced Sausage
- 60 dozen Eggs
- 225lbs Local Flour
- 5 bushels of Local Apples
TOTAL RAISED:
$1,838,286
DIGITAL MARKETING DATA
Organic Page Reach (April 1 - Sept. 30)
137,213
Organic Page Reach (April 1 - Sept. 30)
167,880
228,892
Emails
Sent
18
Recipients
Per Email
17,000+
Average
Open Rate
38%
PARTICIPATION
- 1452 Local Runners/Walkers
- 498 Local Cyclists
- 63 Local Duathletes
- 271 Global Virtual Challengers
- 2284 Total Participants
- 173 Youth Challengers
- 226 Teams
TOP TEAMS BY # OF MEMBERS
Central Maine Healthcare
K-Ry’s Road Warriors
Concentra
Karyopharm Krew
Center Squad
#MARCYSTRONG
Orange Dragons Against Cancer
Bates Rowing
The A Team
Be the Miracles
Oak Hill Raiders
135
83
72
60
49
43
41
39
38
34
34
Paid Ad Reach + Impressions (April 1 - Sept. 30)
MEDIA COVERAGE
News Center MAINE, 107.5 Frank FM, 99.9 FM The Wolf, WMTW, WGME, USA Today, Sun Journal, Twin City Times, Village Voice
VOLUNTEERS
- 400+ Volunteers
- 2,200+ Volunteer Hours
TOP FUNDRAISERS
TOP INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Top Fundraiser - Steve Ismail, $105,733
Top Youth Fundraiser - Natilee Sierra, $3,315
Champions
2023
TOP 10 FUNDRAISERS
For Hope
Steve Ismail, Bangor, ME
Fran Stanhope, Raymond, ME
Kathleen Winslow, Westbrook, ME
Dave Gervais, Lewiston, ME
Dennis Richardson, Turner, ME
Kyle Bolduc, Saco, ME
Peter Manning, Windham, NH
Sheena Wenz, White House, TN
Katherine Dettmann, Yarmouth, ME
Dr. Lizzie Baker, Harpswell, ME
$105,733
$51,677
$29,100
$27,336
$26,001
$22,124
$16,060
$15,300
$14,366
$11,630
Presented by:
101
We celebrated Champions who raised over
to support all those impacted by cancer.
Together, they raised an astounding
$3,000
$777,244.35
TOP TEAM AWARDS
We were joined by several special guests who shared their gratitude through personal stories and connections to the Dempsey Center. Thank you to...
Top Corporate Team - Concentra, $105,900
Top Small Business Team - Musette Restaurant, $28,632
Top Family + Friends Team - Be the Miracle, $185,026
College Cup Winners - Bates College, $18,855
High School Challenge Winners - Leavitt Area HS, $5,523
- Fran Stanhope
Former Dempsey Center Client + 2023 Champion
- Brooke Ismail
2016 Amanda Dempsey Award Winner
- Peter Manning
Dempsey Center Board Member + 2023 Champion
- Ethan Zohn
Cancer Survivor + Winner of Survivor Africa
TOP 10 TEAMS
Be the Miracle
Concentra
Fran’s Army
K-Ry’s Road Warriors
Team Central Maine Healthcare
Center Squad
#MARCYSTRONG
Orange Dragons Against Cancer
Sunday River Community via Sea Bags-Noom
Team Musette
$185,026
$105,900
$98,544
$67,132
$51,785
$45,967
$31,976
$30,352
$30,221
$28,632
Thank you to all of our
2023 Champions!
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTNERS!
Save the Date...
RALLY
TOGETHER
2024
September 21, 2024
Lewiston, Maine + Virtually
Want to be a part of it?
Contact Chrissie Penney, Chief Advancement Officer, to learn about 2024 sponsorship opportunities.
