Thank you for visiting my personal fundraising page for this year's Dempsey Challenge!
This is my FIFTH Dempsey Challenge!
As many of you know, I was originally diagnosed in June 2018. I left my primary care doctor and went directly to Scarborough for tests and then to Maine Medical Center for scans. I am still amazed that my doctor was able to secure immediate appointments. A few days later, the tests and scans confirmed the diagnosis. I was set up with the New England Cancer Specialists for care. I worked thru the first 4 months of care, I had surgery, chemotherapy and then a handful of additional surgeries and then a round of radiation for good measure. I was surrounded by amazing family and friends. I also was able to access the Dempsey Center for additional care that wasn't offered thru medical teams. I returned to work (who were incredible during this time!) in June of 2019. I continued with my care on a regular schedule of tests and scans as well as medical appts with the cancer center team. I was put on daily medications and it was expected to keep the cancer at bay for 10 years.
Fast forward to July 2023, I spend months and thousands of dollars in physical and massage therapy on top of medical appointments. Something is wrong but no one really knows what that is. In December, the ER doctor at the Maine Medical Center believes that something is wrong and works to determine what that is. He orders tests and learns that a tumor had grown on my spine, burst and broken my neck. Within hours, I have my own neurosurgeon team. Spinal surgery is in less than 12 hours. I had the surgery that cleaned out the cancer and some titanium was inserted to hold things together. The second surgery to stabilize my neck has not yet been done. For now, I take daily medications, see the oncology team monthly for blood work and check in plus quarterly treatment and scans. In between all of this, I visit the Dempsey Center. I borrow books, attend workshops and zoom classes as well as wellness visits. I am grateful for their existence.
So here is my pitch. :)
Thank you my family and friends for all your support - emotional, logistical, and financial. If you are able and wish to donate to the Dempsey Center, thank you. If not, that is fine. We all have our own pet projects and I completely understand this. Thank you all for being my friends and family. #TeamAlice
I have written this 3 times as I keep losing it!
The Dempsey Challenge is the premiere fundraising event for the Dempsey Center, a nonprofit founded by actor Patrick Dempsey. The Dempsey Center makes life better for people impacted by cancer by easing the side effects of cancer by improving their physical, emotional, social, familial, and functional well-being at any point in their cancer journey--all at no cost.
With a donation made to my page, you can help support thousands of cancer patients, survivors, care partners, and their loved ones. Gifts of any amount will provide no-cost support for years to come.
Thank you for your support!