Actor Patrick Dempsey is relentless in his effort to help people with cancer, and in honor of National Cancer Survivors Day, the Grey’s Anatomy star shared some very practical guidance for survivors.
On his Instagram story, Dempsey stressed how important it is that cancer patients feel supported by their families and communities, and shared the resources his cancer foundation, The Dempsey Center, provides. In addition to helping families impacted by cancer, the nonprofit also focuses on providing care givers with complimentary services such as group therapy.
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 reoccurrences 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."
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.
Patrick Dempsey says it’s important caregivers take care of themselves
"Remember to take care of yourself," Dempsey said. "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."
Life After Cancer
In honor of cancer survivors’ inspiring stories, SurvivorNet has talked to dozens of women about their experience battling ovarian cancer and embracing life afterwards. Denver-native and ovarian cancer survivor, Stephanie Johnson, was only 35 years old when she was diagnosed with clear cell ovarian cancer. With the support of her husband, she decided to go through the hysterectomy as a part of treatment. Johnson says that her husband, Steve, was her greatest support system during one of the most challenging times of her life.
Related: 'Do All the Things You Love, Now' Baltimore Ovarian Cancer Survivor Rhonda Gold's Story
While preparing for her exploratory surgery, Johnson recalls a moment when she questioned her mortality, but quickly eased her mind by assuring herself she would be fine.
"I was sitting on my deck; I was looking out at the beautiful landscape, and I was thinking 'I can't believe I'm going to die at age 35 of cancer, how did this happen to me?’" Johnson says. "Then I had this thought 'wait a second I feel great right now, how do I feel the next moment? I feel great in the next moment. I feel really good right now. I don't know that I'm going to die of cancer. Nobody knows if I'm going to die of cancer. So, it's best to just live in the present moment."
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