An Interview with Maine Native Patrick Dempsey

image: 

After their mother was diagnosed with cancer ten years ago, Patrick and Mary Dempsey discussed avenues to make cancer and treatment information more available to patients and families. Their brainchild, the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing has been opened for a little over one year and has received a positive response from patients and the community of Lewiston/Auburn, where the center is located as a part of Central Maine Medical Center.

An avid cycler, the "Grey’s Anatomy" star spoke to Jessie Sawyer, the arts and living editor for the Bates Student at the time, on April 1 about his Maine ties, the importance of exercise and the cancer center he founded.

Jessie Sawyer: How did you come up with the Dempsey Challenge?

Patrick Dempsey: Everything is contingent upon fundraising and you want to come up with [fun, interesting and strong ways] to get people involved in hopes to promote wellness and taking care of oneself.... For me cycling is most enjoyable.

JS: How often do you cycle?

PD: I try to cycle every day if I can, depending on my schedule.

JS: How far do you try to ride?

PD: I’ve been doing 40 miles. I’m trying to get up to 100 miles comfortably so I can do the entire session [of the Dempsey Challenge].

JS: Is there a run as well for the Dempsey Challenge?

PD: Yes, if you’re a runner, which I’m not…. The thing is that preventative medicine is really taking care of your health.…

JS: Do you think that your tie to the cancer center and desire to help people has anything to do with your choice to play a doctor on “Grey’s Anatomy”?

PD: It certainly helps lend itself. Because people have that projection of the proceeding already and it’s nice to be able to use that celebrity in a positive way that can help other people. It’s far more fulfilling. I do think it helps a little bit, because I’m not a doctor.

JS: How often have you been to the Lewiston area?

PD: I was born at [Central Maine Medical Center]. I grew up in Turner and Buckfield. I went to school at St. Dom’s. So, I grew up in that area…. I never lived [in Lewiston], but we lived in the surrounding area…. You had to come into Lewiston to shop…. It’s amazing to see what’s happened in the city…. CMMC is helping that, attracting people from out of town to that area. There’s potential for that city, especially the downtown area, to blossom again.

JS: How did you like growing up in Maine?

PD: Well, it’s like any place you grow up. You want to get away from it when you hit 18 and explore the world. The older you get and having children, I really miss living there. I really want my children to have that experience. I certainly don’t miss it in January and February though. But I do miss it. It’s who I am.

JS: Have you ever visited Bates?

PD: Yeah, I used to all the time as a kid. It’s a pretty campus…. It always surprised me to see such a world-class college in Lewiston/Auburn.

JS: When you’re shooting for Grey’s Anatomy or a movie do you live in L.A.?

PD: I do. I live here because of the show. After the show, I’ll have to figure out what I’m going to do. I’m not sure yet.

JS: Do you have a busy shooting schedule for today?

PD: Today, I have a table read-through for the next episode. We just completed our 100th episode last week. It’s hard to believe we’ve done 100 episodes. We have two more left of the season. That takes us into April, the first week in May.

JS: How much longer is the show going on for?

PD: Well, who knows? It depends on the ratings. We’re still in the top 10, so we all have contracts for two more years.

JS: How long have you been doing it?

PD: Five years…. It’s blown by.