After losing his mother to ovarian cancer, actor Patrick Dempsey has dedicated a huge portion of his life to helping patients and families impacted by the disease. Despite disruptions caused by COVID-19, he’s still urging people to take care of themselves.
Dempsey, 54, shared a selfie on Instagram of him wearing a mask and urged fans to do the same. In his caption, he nodded to his acclaimed starring role in medical drama Grey’s Anatomy and stated that wearing masks can save lives for millions during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Read MorePatrick Dempsey’s Cancer Activism
Dempsey got involved in cancer advocacy and fundraising because of his mother, Amanda Dempsey, who he lost to ovarian cancer in 2014. Amanda battled with the disease for 17 years, and experienced multiple reccurrences throughout her life. While speaking to SurvivorNet at the People vs. Cancer Conference, Dempsey admitted that cancer can cause patients' and their families lives to change significantly, and Amanda's reoccurrences were particularly difficult for their family.
"The impact of a cancer diagnosis in a family is devastating and it affects everything," Dempsey told SurvivorNet. "Everything comes to a screeching halt, and you have to reevaluate how you look at the world, and how you go through it and try to find some normalcy in it."
Patrick Dempsey talks to SurvivorNet about his foundation's new approach to cancer care
While supporting his mother through cancer treatment, Dempsey learned how important caregivers are in providing services to those in need. However, Dempsey says that while caring for patients, caregivers can sometimes stop caring from themselves. While speaking to SurvivorNet, Dempsey urged care givers to take equal care of themselves so they can provide the best help to those they are assisting.
Related: Treating the Whole Person: The Dempsey Center's Unique Approach to Cancer Care
"Remember to take care of yourself," Dempsey said to caregivers. "If you're not taking care of yourself, it's going to be harder for you to take care of the person you're in charge of. My mother was a fighter. That gave us energy as well, and she got energy from us by being there. … I think that was the thing that was surprising. Her resilience gave us strength … and that's a part of us now."
Patrick Dempsey urges caregivers take care of themselves and practice self-care
Cancer Patients At Higher Risk During COVID-19
With the coronavirus pandemic taking up so many of our country's emergency health resources, many people facing cancer are worried about what happens if they do face some sort of complication from treatment. These fears are certainly warranted so it's important to understand some changes that are happening in oncology practices across the board as the U.S. medical system adjusts to the influx of COVID-19 cases.
Related: My Life Depends on Social Distancing An Ovarian Cancer Patient's Plea
A leading expert tells SurvivorNet that the safest bet for people going through cancer treatment, or those who have just finished treatment, is to practice social distancing as much as possible. Taking advantage of tele-medicine when you do have a question or concern for your doctor is the best option right now. Additionally, if you do leave the house, always wear a mask in order to not spread or contract the virus.
Dr. Brieze Keeley Bell explains how cancer patients can stay safe during COVID-19
“So the general guidance right now is that for your safety and the safety of your loved ones and your entire community, we would really encourage you to stay home and practice social distancing as much as possible and to try to communicate with your doctors over phone and video for routine clinical care,” says Dr. Brieze Keeley Bell, an attending physician at UCSF Medical Center.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
