Dempsey Challenge Fundraising Guide

RALLY

TOGETHER

2024

Thank you for registering for Dempsey Challenge 2024! Since our very first event people from throughout Maine, across the United States, and around the world have shown up to support the Dempsey Center and our mission to make life better for people impacted by cancer.

The support we've received since day 1 has allowed us to impact thousands of cancer patients, care partners, family members, and friends. Through all of our no-cost services, clients have found comfort, compassion, and connection, through our services, both in-person and virtually. As incidences of cancer rise and the demand for our support increases, our 2024 Dempsey Challenge fundraising goal is our biggest yet—$2 million—and each and every dollar raised will go directly to funding the no-cost support provided at the Dempsey Center.

We can't wait to see you all for a day of Celebrating, Honoring, and Rallying Together in September!

What’s In Store for 2024?!

Forms

+ Files

return to dempseychallenge.org

Important Dates + Fundraising

Plan Your Visit to Maine

Fundraising Tips

2024 marks the Dempsey Challenge’s sweet 16th event! Last year, almost 2,300 Challengers took on the Challenge and supported people impacted by cancer in all 16 counties in Maine, over 20 states, and a handful of countries around the world. We were blown away by your support and can’t wait to RALLY TOGETHER again with you this September! We’re bringing back a lot of your event favorites this year and are excited to add in a few new touches to make this year’s event the best one yet--stay tuned to learn more!

Runners and walkers can take on the 5k Challenge through Lewiston and Auburn, Maine (don’t worry, we’re triple-checking the distance this year!). The Dempsey Duathlon is back and open to 100 adult and youth registrants. And, we heard you, Cyclists! We’ve added in TWO NEW mid-distance routes--a 15-mile and 35-mile route--to our Cycling events. Check out the 2024 cycling distances below and find the route that fits your skill level best.

CYCLING ROUTES

Wendy’s Way Family Ride

Approx. 5.5 miles, with a fun rest stop in the middle at Geiger Headquarters, perfect for FAMILIES + BEGINNERS

15-Mile

An out-and-back route with a short loop in the middle, made for BEGINNERS

25-Mile

Travel along the Androscoggin and loop through Lisbon, Maine, a great ride for ADVANCED BEGINNERS

35-Mile

INTERMEDIATE CYCLISTS will love this NEW mid-distance route of 37(ish) miles through rural Maine!

50-Mile

Rolling terrain through rural Maine for INTERMEDIATE to ADVANCED CYCLISTS

65-Mile

A metric century ride to coastal Freeport with some challenging hills mixed in, made for the ADVANCED CYCLIST

Thursday, September 19th 12:00pm ET	—Fundraising Awards Deadline —Champions for Hope Celebration Deadline —College Cup + High School Challenge Deadline
Thursday and Friday September 19th + 20th	—Packet Pick-Up at Dempsey Center, 29 Lowell Street in Lewiston
Friday, September 20th 7:30pm ET	—Champions for Hope Celebration (by invitation only)
Friday, September 20th 5:00pm ET	—Online Registration Closes
Saturday, September 21st	—Dempsey Challenge Run, Walk, and Ride Events - Simard-Payne Park, Lewiston, Maine —In-Person Dempsey Challengers: Pick up your Incentives at any time during the Festival in the Park Please note that when you pick up your incentives in the park, your fundraising will be considered complete. No incentives will be mailed out to in-person Challengers post-event (unless pre-arranged).
Sunday, September 22nd 5:00pm ET	—Final Fundraising Deadline for Incentives —Virtual Challenger Incentives will begin to be shipped
Thursday, October 31st 11:59pm ET	—Final Deadline to Accept Donations

Please be sure to confirm your registration for either the in person or virtual event is correct After selecting your event review your fundraising minimum and set your goal for the 2024 Dempsey Challenge

Event Type	Reg. Fee	Fundraising Minimum	Important Info
Virtual Challenger	$60	NONE	Event t-shirt shipped to you
Adult 5k Run/Walk, In-Person	$60	$300
Adult Cycling Rides (all routes), In-Person	$85	$400
Adult Duathlon, In-Person	$100	$500
College Cup 5k Challenge, In-Person	$30	suggested $150	Must be an active student with school ID or email
Youth Run/Walk, In-Person	$30	suggested $150	18 years old and under
Youth Cycling Rides (all routes), In-Person	$40	suggested $200	18 years old and under
Youth Duathlon, In-Person	$50	suggested $250	15-18 years old

Registration fees for all events count toward your fundraising minimum. Each registration includes a 2024 event t-shirt.

All money raised goes directly to support the Dempsey Center’s mission to make life better for people impacted by cancer.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads, or LinkedIn, share your story with Dempsey Challenge, Dempsey Center, or what helping people impacted by cancer means to you. Encourage people to join (or form) a team to enhance your efforts and experience!

DOUBLE THE DONATION DAYS

Be on the look out for Double the Donation Days presented by some incredible Dempsey Challenge partners! Double the Donation Days, or DtDDs, allow you, the participant, to make your fundraising efforts go even further. Online donations made within the specified timeframe (before the funds run out) will be doubled toward the Participant’s fundraising efforts. Please note that these funds often go quickly, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and sign up for our emails to stay in the know!

KNOW WHERE A GIFT GOES

Your fundraising support goes directly to support people impacted by cancer. Gifts of all sizes allow the Dempsey Center to provide a variety of services to cancer patients, survivors, care partners, and their loved ones, all at no cost to them.

FUNDRAISING ON FACEBOOK

IMPORTANT FOR 2024

Facebook has changed their fundraising processes so it will look different this year. After registering for Dempsey Challenge 2024, you will receive the option to SHARE to Facebook instead of creating a new Facebook Fundraiser. Please share your fundraising link when promoting fundraising on social media. This will ensure a streamlined way for donors to support YOU and your efforts. Plus, it will ensure you can access those special Double the Donation Days throughout Challenge Season!

CONNECT WITH US

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok; sign up for your newsletter; and bookmark our website for the latest Dempsey Challenge Updates. You’ll be the first to know about any promotions and other incentives leading up to Dempsey Challenge Weekend. After you connect with us, be sure to stay in touch! Tell your story, show off your training, and don’t forget to tag us—#RallyTogether, #DempseyChallenge, and #DempseyChallenge2024—for the chance to be shared on our accounts!

GET CREATIVE!

Host a livestream to collect donations; plan a movie night; make your favorite treats and hold a bake sale--the unique ways you can raise money are endless! Get our DIY Event Toolkit and Share Your Event with us here to get on our Events Calendar.