Pfizer is partnering with Patrick Dempsey in support of the American Cancer Society initiative ‘Change the Odds’

‘Change the Odds’ with Patrick Dempsey: A Journey of Empowerment in Cancer Awareness

Patrick Galen Dempsey, actor, auto racer and philanthropist is partnering with the American Cancer Society and Pfizer for their “Change the Odds” campaign, in an effort to increase awareness and get people to make appointments for their recommended cancer screenings

“In the remote areas, it’s almost like a medical desert. You can drive two, three hours to get to a hospital. … That’s a very long period of time. The irony is that you’re called a patient because you have to be patient. So I think it’s all part of our plan. We work from prevention into survivorship and everything in between, while also supporting caregivers and children… And with the American Cancer Society, they have rides, so if you can’t get yourself to a hospital or a clinic, there are opportunities there. If you need a place to stay, there’s a place to stay.” – Patrick Galen Dempsey

On February 5th, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Pfizer launched “Change the Odds”

The goal of “Change the Odds” is to accelerate access to current treatments and future scientific advancements, driving sustainable solutions for equitable outcomes for all patients. Through this initiative, American Cancer Society aims to empower patients and healthcare providers with information about clinical trials while addressing barriers to participation. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of community-centric approaches in making a tangible difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.

The initiative will initially focus on breast and prostate cancer, which are among the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. ACS plans to engage additional partners to extend the reach of programmatic activities to more individuals and deepen the tangible impact in select communities.

Patrick Galen Dempsey

Patrick Galen Dempsey, born on January 13, 1966, is an American actor and racing driver best known for his role as Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd in the ABC medical drama series Grey’s Anatomy (2005-15; 2020-21). He began his career with films such as Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) and Loverboy (1989), later starring in romantic comedies like Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Made of Honor (2008), and Valentine’s Day (2010). Dempsey has also taken on dramatic roles in films like Outbreak (1995), Scream 3 (2000), and Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011).

Dempsey’s personal life has been significantly impacted by cancer. Patrick’s mother Amanda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997 and battled the disease until her death in 2014.

 “She didn’t like to be on stage and be the center of attention. But she was really good if she would meet someone who was recently diagnosed, she would go off and talk to them one-on-one. And that was her real strength. And I think for her it gave her a better understanding of why she survived for so long.”.” – Patrick Galen Dempsey about his mother Amanda

Patrick Galen Dempsey with his Mother Amanda

After experiencing her journey, and inspired by Amanda’s passion for helping others, Patrick created a space where those impacted by cancer could find relief, comfort, resources, and support. He co-founded the Patrick Dempsey Center at Central Maine Medical Center to support cancer patients and their families. He launched the Dempsey Challenge in 2009, which has raised over $1 million for the center. Dempsey received an honorary doctorate from Bates College in 2017 for his philanthropic efforts.

“Listen to yourself. I think people need to listen to their body. They know what is right for them. Keep asking the questions and listen to yourself, and then find out what’s best for you — you’re your own best advocate. You understand your body, you have instincts, so you got to listen to that voice and see where that takes you.”

American Cancer Society:

“Together with Pfizer and actor Patrick Dempsey, a cancer advocate, we’re continuing our work to ‘Change the Odds’ for people living with cancer in underserved communities, including rural areas in the U.S., where cancer survival rates are lower than in cities.

We’re inspired by the people from rural areas who shared their stories with us and are helping raise awareness about the differences in cancer care and why screening is so important.

Find your nearest no- or low-cost cancer screening center and learn more about this initiative.”

Suneet Varma:

“Exciting news today that Pfizer is partnering with actor and cancer community advocate Patrick Dempsey in support of the American Cancer Society initiative ‘Change the Odds’, which aims to address cancer care disparities in underserved communities in the U.S.

This partnership highlights our shared commitment to building a more equitable future for cancer care, to help ensure people have access to the resources they deserve.

We believe that together, we can ‘Change The Odds’ against cancer for underserved communities – and change the trajectory of this disease as we know it. Learn more.”

Arif Kamal:

“It was an honor to join Front Porch Conversations with friends from around the country!

More posts featuring American Cancer Society and Pfizer on oncodaily.com

The American Cancer Society and Pfizer: Breaking Barriers in Cancer Care Disparities