October 29, 2010
Lifechangers: Patrick Dempsey Helps Fight Cancer
Actor Patrick Dempsey is turning "Extra" Lifechanger, helping cancer patients and their families -- having gained inspiration from his mother's battle with ovarian cancer.
"She's had five bouts of ovarian cancer," Dempsey told "Extra's" AJ Calloway, sitting down with the actor at the Avon Foundation for Women gala for breast cancer awareness. "The type of cancer that she has comes back every two or three years, slow growing, thank goodness."
The "Grey's Anatomy" star has built the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in his hometown of Lewiston, Maine. "It takes a team to fight cancer," the actor explained. "It was important for me to keep my mother active and what she loved doing and still does today is gardening and remodeling, and so we ended up buying an old home that needed restoration and that became sort of symbolic for her journey in fighting cancer."
Watch more of "Extra's" exclusive interview with TV's favorite doctor!
Dempsey also teamed with Lance Armstrong at the recent LIVESTRONG Ride, which raises money for Armstrong's cancer charity. To find out more and ways you can help, visit LIVESTRONG.com.
