In 2014, Amanda Dempsey, the mother of “Grey’s Anatomy” star Patrick Dempsey, passed away after battling cancer. The actor spoke briefly about his mother and expressed his sadness at her loss. He reminisced about spending time with her outdoors, recalling fond memories of walking in the snow together when he was a child.
Patrick and his mother shared a love for the outdoors, with Amanda being particularly fond of gardening. Some of Patrick’s cherished childhood memories were formed in the Maine woods, where they would go cross-country skiing whenever it snowed.
In addition to caring for his mother, Patrick Dempsey also prioritizes his family. He and his wife, Jillian Fink Dempsey, have three children together: Tallulah Fyfe and twins Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick Dempsey. Patrick treasures his family and considers them to be his “core.”
The actor shared that having three children is actually easier for him than having just one. They bring him and his wife closer together, and he deeply values them. Recently, he has been focusing his time and attention on his wife and children.
When Patrick Dempsey’s marriage faced difficulties, he faced a tough decision but ultimately decided to leave “Grey’s Anatomy” and prioritize his family. He is grateful for the time he gets to spend with them and believes it’s important to take the time for what matters most.
Patrick also had to stay strong when his mother fell ill with cancer. He took on the responsibility of caring for her and made sure she received the best possible care. He wanted to cherish every moment with her during her remaining time.
Patrick Dempsey emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities and not wasting time because it’s uncertain how much time one has. He and his family were fortunate to have spent more time with his mother than expected, despite her ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Although the diagnosis was a significant shock, it also had a positive impact on the actor. It motivated him to devote more time to Amanda’s care before she passed away, which strengthened their bond in a way that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
Despite his incredibly successful career in acting, Patrick Dempsey dedicated 17 years of his life to caring for his mother. His sister also provided tremendous assistance, as she had previously worked in hospitals and knew individuals who could offer guidance and advice. While Mary Dempsey sought assistance, Patrick kept his mother occupied and healthy.
During this time, Patrick was constantly searching for ways to keep his mother busy and happy. They soon discovered that gardening, renovating their home, and engaging in outdoor activities helped Amanda take her mind off her condition and remain physically active.
She continued to work, which made her feel like a valuable member of society. Staying busy also helped her cope with survivor’s guilt, as she had outlived others who received the same treatments. Sadly, she passed away in 2014.
Throughout his time caring for his mother, Patrick learned a lot about how cancer can impact individuals and their families. He found that the stories his mother shared with him about her life were valuable, both during her illness and after she passed away. Patrick encourages others to do the same and cherish the time they have with their loved ones.
Although Amanda had excellent medical treatment, it only slowed down the progression of her cancer, and she eventually passed away from it. However, the treatment gave her time to connect with her children and help them come to terms with her diagnosis. Her experience with cancer also inspired Patrick to help others going through similar situations.
In 2008, Patrick founded the Dempsey Center, which provides free quality-of-life care to cancer patients and their families. Cancer treatment can be incredibly expensive, so Patrick wanted to give back to the community by providing support for those who need it most. Even Amanda helped with counseling at the center while she was still alive.
Today, the Dempsey Center serves around 2,500 individuals each year and focuses on providing care for everyone impacted by cancer, including patients, caregivers, and those who have lost a family member to cancer.
Every year, the Dempsey Center hosts the Dempsey Challenge, which aims to raise enough funds to support the center and provide essential care to cancer patients. Patrick is deeply involved in the event and finds it fulfilling as it reminds him of his mother. He expressed his passion for the work and his dedication to making a difference.