How Patrick Dempsey is Upgrading Cancer Care (for Free)

Patrick Dempsey is a fan favorite for his role as neurosurgeon Derek Shepard (aka McDreamy) on Grey’s Anatomy, but his efforts in the medical field extend beyond the screen. The Enchanted star runs The Dempsey Center, a no-cost facility dedicated to providing wraparound holistic care for those undergoing cancer treatment. The center is a clear passion of Dempsey’s, especially following the loss of his mother, Amanda Dempsey, after her years-long battle with ovarian cancer. Read on for our full interview with Patrick Dempsey.

Patrick Dempsey: My mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the late ‘90s, and she had over 12 recurrences and then ultimately in 2014, passed away. So that was my first real profound impact with cancer and the devastation that finding out what that news is. And I wanted to do something and thank God my sister, who was working in the hospital, could help us navigate understanding what the doctors were saying, what procedures that she needed to do and all of that.

When Grey’s started taking off, I had an opportunity to work with the Breakaway from Cancer Initiative. Which was when I really first discovered wraparound care and that's what really inspired the center, because what we do there is we don't treat the disease, we treat the person holistically. So our programs are a lot of counseling, which is very important,nutrition, Reiki, acupuncture, yoga, we also focus on prevention and also survivorship.

And what's really remarkable to me is that not a lot of people know about that or understand wraparound care. And I think it should be standard with a cancer diagnosis. It should go hand in hand. We were here at, an Atlantic event, and I was listening to a panel, and sometimes it takes up to two weeks before you get the results back, and that's when you really need to be with the patient and to be able to work with them on the psychological aspect.

Kelsey Barberio, Parade: The anxiety.

Patrick Dempsey: Anxiety, also with the counseling and the support, and also the caregivers as well. We take care of the caregivers and we have a children's program that's really important, and all of those things. And it's just really starting to take off.

Kelsey Barberio, Parade: So as we enter into the holidays here, I know that can be a really difficult time for people who have experienced loss like you have with your mother. Is this a time of year that's a little bit more difficult for you?

Patrick Dempsey: You know, I think overall just I think where we are in the world right now and certainly the pain and, and because of COVID, a lot of people weren't getting their screenings. So we start to see more and more people coming in later on, which is why it's important. And what we're talking about today is getting those screenings and understanding your family history.

I had a really good relationship with my mother. I had time with her to talk to her and to be prepared. So every day was an extra day I was fortunate enough to have over the period that she went through her battle. So when she left, I was happy that she was in a peaceful place. And, I felt pretty resolved and very happy. And she's still very much inside of me and inspires me daily.

But that doesn't happen to everyone I know. Each one of my siblings deals with it differently, and there are certain things that trigger them. And they need the counseling as well. And that's part of the thing too, is, you know, the grief, the grieving, the loss.

And that's the important thing of the counseling is really kind of working through that, feeling that, letting it come up and move through a lot of this stuff right now.

The numbers are really quite staggering. 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime, and 1 in 2 men will be as well. And if you have a knowledge of your family history, if you don't, please, you know, ask your grandparents or your parents what sort of family history in this, and then make sure that when you do your checkups that you get your screenings and.

Kelsey Barberio, Parade: You can get the bloodwork done early.

Patrick Dempsey: Right, and I did mine this week too, so I'm all good on that. And then I have another one coming up in a month with my uncle. And so it's important to do that. And, you know, if we catch it early enough, the chances of survival are that much greater, if treated properly.

Kelsey Barberio, Parade: I really appreciate you taking so much time with us. And I'm so excited about the work that you're doing with the Dempsey Center. I think it's really incredible.

Patrick Dempsey: Yeah, please. And I encourage people, please check out the website and, you know, these services are at no cost. There's a lot of resources that aren't being utilized. And we want to bring awareness to it so that they have the help and support that they need.

This transcript has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.