Actor Patrick Dempsey, known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" as well as his film work, is an ambassador for Breakaway From Cancer, a charity affiliated with Amgen that describes itself as a "national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer -- from prevention through survivorship."
In an exclusive interview, Dempsey shared the personal story of how cancer has touched his own family and offered his thoughts on what other people can do if they experience the same. He also discussed the Amgen Tour of California, the biggest American cycling event, which begins on May 12 and takes riders through eight stages up the coast of California. Stops in and around the Bay Area include a San Jose Time Trial Stage on May 17; a Livermore start and a Mount Diablo finish on May 18; and a start in San Francisco for the last stage, which ends in Santa Rosa on May 19. Dempsey is also an ambassador for the Tour of California.
So many families are touched by cancer these days. Would you share your own personal story with readers?
Dempsey: We can all benefit by sharing these things. My own mother is a two-time cancer survivor. She has been fighting ovarian cancer since 1998. So through personal experience, I know how difficult it can be to deal with the fight against cancer. There are good days, and there are bad days. But the message is that no one is in this alone.
Tell us more about that silver lining, Patrick.
Dempsey: I come from a fairly small New England town, and the beautiful thing about the struggle to overcome is the extended family that has grown as a result of all the people who volunteer at the wellness clinic to lend a hand in any way they can. Sometimes, it's offering rides for treatments or stopping in for a chat; it could be helping someone get out after a snowstorm or delivering some fresh fruits and vegetables. I have seen awareness transform the community and the people in it. It's nurturing, it's healing, it's a beautiful and magical thing.
You have a big event this week to raise awareness and funds for the free services that help people affected by cancer. What's happening?
Dempsey: It's very exciting to be associated with this international cycling event through 750 miles south to north along coastal California. It's the eighth year of the Amgen Tour of California, one of America's biggest annual sporting events. There will be 2 million spectators cheering on 16 top professional international cycling teams as we travel through beautiful landscape the whole eight days, from San Diego to Santa Rosa. People will find Breakaway From Cancer folks to talk to at every stage.
You're a race car driver and enthusiast. Is there any special reason why your focus is on cycling?
Dempsey: Yes, we draw parallels between the journeys. When someone arrives at a crossroads in their cancer journey, Breakaway From Cancer is there is help. We believe no one should have to fight cancer alone, so it's a great partnership with Amgen, a team emphasis to help caregivers and survivors, so they know where to turn to find that help. The steps are prevention, early detection, fighting cancer, financial assistance, and survivorship. Cancer is a word, not a sentence.
What's your own opinion about the best way someone can help?
Dempsey: If people just look inside their own community, it would make a huge difference. Look at a neighbor to see what you could do, volunteer a bit of time at a wellness clinic, find the local needs and see how you can fill in. A beautiful sense of community is born that way -- that helps us all. If we look after our own health, we can treat other people properly. Remember, the best way to heal is by hugging somebody.
Colorado Shooting News joe paterno British Open MC Chris Colorado shooting suspect accuweather Finding Nemo 2
No comments:
Post a Comment