Grey's Anatomy star to open cancer centre

Patrick Dempsey has announced plans to open a facility that will benefit cancer patients in his home state of Maine.The Grey's Anatomy star is set to open The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing on March 31 at the Central Maine Medical Center. It aims to provide education and support for cancer patients and their families.The 42-year-old created the centre in honour of his mother, Amanda, who was successfully treated for ovarian cancer at the hospital and is now in remission.The Grey's Anatomy star said he remembered not knowing what to do when his mum was diagnosed ten years ago.He said: "For a family to get a cancer diagnosis is devastating, and all the information out there can be overwhelming. A lot of the websites I went to just didn't have enough information."So, I talked to my sister about a place where people could go for all this type of information and help. Knowledge is power."Dempsey's sister, Mary, who works at the hospital, will be the coordinator of the new centre while Dempsey plans to take part in the centre's public education campaign.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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ITN | March 12, 2008