An Actor and Health Care Founder
- Actor Patrick Dempsey, 58, is heading back to the small screen, as it was announced on Thursday that he is joining the cult show Dexter‘s prequel, Dexter: Original Sin.
- Best known for his “McDreamy” role on Grey’s Anatomy for 10 seasons from 2005-2015, this is Dempsey’s first major return to a TV series, which also stars Christian Slater as Dexter Morgan’s father, Harry Morgan.
- Aside from his decades-long entertainment career, Dempsey also serves a dedicated role in the health space. After his late mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the Dempsey Center founder has been on a mission to help people impacted by cancer, focusing on “treating the person, not the disease,” the centers, located in his home state of Maine have now served 15,000 people around the country with no cost services and individualized care.
- Dempsey is a prominent voice for cancer caregivers, and often shares the important message that in order to be an effective caregiver, taking care of yourself is also imperative. Here is SurvivorNet’s guide for cancer caregivers that may help along the way.
Best known for his “McDreamy” role on Grey’s Anatomy for 10 seasons from 2005-2015, this is Dempsey’s first major return to a TV series, which also stars Christian Slater as Dexter Morgan’s father, Harry Morgan.
Read More“It’s a beautiful day to introduce @patrickdempsey as Captain Aaron Spencer on #DexterOriginalSin,” the caption read Thursday on Showtime’s Instagram announcement.
Paramount Global co-CEO Chris McCarthy gave a statement to Variety on Dempsey joining the cast.
“Patrick Dempsey is a beloved actor who is internationally known for the iconic characters he has played and his performances,” McCarthy said.
“We are thrilled to have him join our all-star cast of Dexter: Original Sin, the highly anticipated origin story of the franchise.
The Lewiston native was just 20 years old when he rose to fame in the teen dramedy film Can’t Buy Me Love (1987), and then went on to do flicks like Some Girls (1988), Loverboy (1989) and Mobsters (1991). Most recently, the avid racecar driver played Piero Taruffi in Ferrari (2023).
Dempsey did 16 episodes of the TV series Devils in 2020-2022, but Dexter: Original Sin is a whole new level, with a built-in fan-base that may be a bit tough to win over at first after losing their dark hero Michael C. Hall, but time will tell, and gauging from the fan comments so far, adding Dempsey’s name will certainly help!
“Ok, this changed everything. I’ll watch,” one Dexter fan wrote, while another commented:
“Of course I will watch my McDreamy as a captain.”
Patrick Dempsey’s Important Role in Health Care
Aside from his decades-long entertainment career, the Dempsey Center founder also serves a dedicated role in the health space.
On Thursday, the same day as his big TV role announcement, a local outlet in his home state posted of his visit on Wednesday to Barbara Bush’s Children’s Hospital, MaineHealth, where he spent quality time with the kids and their families.
“I was reminded of the immense strength of these young patients and the incredible dedication of the doctors, nurses, staff and families,” Dempsey said in a statement on his visit. “Their unwavering commitment to healing truly inspires.”
Patrick Dempsey, who was a caregiver for his late mother Amanda, opened the doors to his first Dempsey Center in 2008 while Amanda was going through ovarian cancer.
Patrick Dempsey’s Advice to Cancer Caregivers: Take Care of Yourself, Too
With the mission of helping people impacted by cancer, focusing on “treating the person, not the disease,” the centers have now served 15,000 people around the country with no cost services and individualized care.
RELATED: Actor Patrick Dempsey’s Higher Purpose: Helping Cancer Patients in His Home State of Maine
With locations in Lewiston, Maine and South Portland, the Dempsey Center also offers help worldwide through their virtual care center.
The husband and father of three is proud that his mom “had the opportunity to see the center come to life. It was inspired by her journey and she spent a lot of time there,” Dempsey shared with SurvivorNet CEO Steve Alperin during a sit-down chat at the PHM Healthfront in April 2023.
The mentorship program at the Dempsey Center is a special aspect of their patient care. “This was something that was really important to my mother,” Dempsey said.
“She didn’t quite understand, like a lot of people that she went through treatment with didn’t survive, and she did. ‘So why am I still here?’ was the question she asked herself,” Dempsey explained of his mother’s survivorship journey.
Cancer Caregivers: The Basics
Assuming the role of a cancer caregiver when a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or friend is diagnosed with cancer comes with a unique set of responsibilities. The first thing to understand is that there is no shame is asking for help. This can be an overwhelming time for both patients and their caregivers, too.
Dr. Jayanthi Lea, gynecologic oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, shares some guidance for new cancer caregivers
Through interviews with expert oncologists, social workers, patients advocates, and more, we’ve come up with a checklist of helpful steps cancer caregivers can take throughout the journey.
Cancer caregivers may:
- Attend doctor visits with the patient
- Help the patient take notes/ask questions
- Provide transportation to and from treatment
- Accompany the patient during treatment
- Help keep track of side effects
- Link up with a social worker/patient navigator
- Help with day-to-day activities
- Provide emotional support
How Cancer Caregivers Can Find Time to Care for Themselves
When you suddenly find yourself acting as a cancer caregiver, the lifestyle adjustment can be jarring. Many people welcome the role of cancer caregiver and the opportunity to help out someone they care about deeply but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
RELATED: ‘Be Proud Of What You’re Doing’ — Justine Almada’s Ode to Cancer Caregivers
Filling a caregiver role can be extremely stressful and caregivers often neglect their own needs, which can create a host of additional problems. Experts stress that you will be a better caregiver if you also prioritize caring for yourself. Taking care of your health whether that be with diet, exercise, or making time for activities you enjoy (like filming a new TV show) is still crucial.
Here is SurvivorNet’s guide for all the cancer caregivers out there.
We wish Patrick Dempsey luck on his latest role!
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