From left: Dustin Bisson, Patrick Dempsey, Henry James and Levi Leipheimer address the crowd at Levi's GranFondo in 2011.
For the second straight year, organizers of Patrick Dempsey’s Dempsey Challenge and Levi Leipheimer’s GranFondo have partnered to offer a special fundraising incentive through Positive Tracks, a fundraising initiative for ages 23-or-under.
The top Dempsey Challenge Positive Tracks fundraiser will win an all expense paid trip to Santa Rosa, California to take part in the GranFondo, scheduled for Sept. 29. In turn, the GranFondo top youth fundraiser will win a trip to Lewiston, Maine to participate in the Dempsey Challenge slated for Oct. 13-14. Dempsey and Leipheimer will be present at both events to host the lucky winners in what is sure to be an unforgettable weekend.
Last year, 15-year-old race car driver from Greene, Maine, Dustin “Lil Man” Bisson and his family sold cancer awareness bracelets and raised $7,742 to benefit cancer survivors and their cargivers. Bisson and his father headed to the west coast as Leipheimer’s special guests. The following week, GranFondo top youth fundraiser Henry James, 12, took part in the Dempsey Challenge where he rode with Dempsey and pro cyclists Liepheimer, Tom Danielson, Freddie Rodriguez, Bernie Eisel, Davis Phinney, Connie Phinney, Coryn Rivera and Kristin McGrath.
The Dempsey Challenge serves as the primary fundraiser for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center. The Dempsey Center provides free support, education and integrative medicine to anyone impacted by cancer. GranFondo beneficiaries include VeloStreet’s Cycling Initiatives Program, Forget Me Not Farm, LIVESTRONG and community development.
Implemented in 2011, Positive Tracks encourages and supports community building, wellness and philanthropy for youth ages 23-or-under. Funds raised through the program are matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000.
The trip includes round-trip airfare, three nights lodging, transportation, bike rental and meal stipend. The winner will be determined by the total amount raised (minimum of $3,000) at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2012. Registrations fees and the Positive Tracks match do not count toward this or other incentives.
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