Dempsey Center

Knitting Group [Rock Row]
2025-11-19 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Join our group of survivor and care partner volunteers who gather to replenish our knitted and crocheted comfort item inventory, including such items as pocketed wraps, hats, and knitted knockers.

Led by Michelle Small.
Open to all adult Dempsey Center clients.

Do you prefer to volunteer knit or crochet from home? Please call Michelle Small at 207-376-9669 or email msmall@dempseycenter.org.

Dempsey Dog Meet + Greet: Rudy [Rock Row]
2025-11-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Therapy dogs can help to provide emotional support, alleviate stress, improve moods, and help boost confidence. We are proud to encourage the animal-human bond through our teams of Dempsey Dogs, trained and registered by Pet Partners.
Drop in and say “hi” to our Dempsey Dog Teams. No sign up needed!

Advanced Cancer Care Partner Support Group - Afternoon [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Dempsey Connects
If you are a care partner to someone with an advanced or metastatic cancer diagnosis, we welcome you to this space . This group provides a safe, comfortable place to find the support, information, and understanding you need to continue caring for your loved one and yourself. Together, we can find ways to help you reduce isolation, worry, and fear as you provide emotional and/or physical support throughout the journey.

Led by Michelle Hayes, LCSW, OSW-C and Jennifer Keefe, MSW Intern.

Open to Dempsey Center clients who are care partners to a loved one diagnosed with advanced cancer.
Participants must be residents of Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts.

Online sign up is not available for this group. A telephone consult is required before attending. Please call us at (877)336-7287 or email registration@dempseycenter.org to request your consult.

Cooking for Health + Healing [Rock Row]
2025-11-19 14:30 - 16:30 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Improve your skills in the kitchen and discover the role of food as it relates to overall health during and after cancer treatment. In this 4-week series, you will learn how food can be used to support health, regain strength, reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic illnesses, while discovering new ways to add nutrients to your diet. Each week, clients will participate in preparing recipes with assistance from our nutritionist.

Featured weekly topics include:

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Eating for a Healthy Heart
Carbohydrates and Fiber
Adding Color to Your Plate

Led by Judy Donnelly, RDN, CSO, LD, Nutrition Program Manager.

Open to all Dempsey Center Clients.
Participants are strongly urged to attend all sessions.
Registration closes August 26.
Please note that this class does require participation, which may include standing and moving about our demonstration kitchen. Sign up requires a telephone consult before attending.
Participants must bring their own containers to transport prepared food home.

Connect + Experience: Meal Kit Demonstration [Rock Row]
2025-11-19 15:00 - 16:30 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Looking for ways to stretch your food dollars? Experience a community meal and cooking demonstration led by University of New England (UNE) graduate students. Learn how to turn a Meals for Maine pantry kit into a delicious, budget-friendly dish, connect with others impacted by cancer, and enjoy a late-afternoon tea together. Each participant will receive a meal kit to take home.

Led by Michelle Small, Trisha Mason – UNE Director of Service Learning, and UNE Graduate Students.

Open to the public.

Dempsey Doga with Rudy + Wayne [Rock Row]
2025-11-19 16:00 - 16:45 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Join us for this kids’ yoga class featuring our Dempsey Dogs! Youth ages 5-12 are invited to join our Dempsey Dogs for a fun, active yoga experience – ’doga’! Meet other youth impacted by cancer and learn fun, dog-inspired, beginner yoga movements while bonding with our therapy dogs! All materials are provided, and participants will leave with a set of their very own Dempsey Doga cards.

Dempsey Dogs are trained and registered by Pet Partners. Therapy dogs can help to provide emotional support and alleviate stress, improve moods, and help kids to gain the strength and confidence to overcome challenges they might face. Add yoga to the mix with all its proven benefits and you have a ‘Doga’ class!

Led by Dempsey Dog Team Wayne + Rudy and Tish Caldwell, Dempsey Center’s Movement + Fitness Manager, Certified Oncology Yoga Instructor.

Open to Dempsey Center clients ages 5-12 and their families. A parent/guardian must remain in the building.

Online sign-up is not available for this workshop. To sign up, please e-mail registration@dempseycenter.org or call 207-336-7287.

Fitness for Life [Lewiston]
2025-11-20 10:00 - 10:45 | Dempsey Center – Lewiston (12 High Street), 12 High Street, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
Exercise can help fight fatigue, boost your energy level, support your immune system, relieve stress and tension, make your muscles and heart stronger, improve balance and help you sleep better. This 45-minute class will provide you with all the fundamentals of an exercise program, adapting it to meet the needs of varying levels of fitness with a warm-up, aerobic activity, core and strength training exercises, and finishing with a cooldown/stretch. Please wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes or sneakers and have a sturdy chair available on a non-skid surface and small handheld weights.
Led by Tish Caldwell, Dempsey Center’s Movement + Fitness Manager, Certified Oncology Yoga Instructor, and Livestrong Cancer Exercise Trainer.
Open to Dempsey Center clients in active treatment or post-treatment and their primary care partner.

This series will be taking place at the YMCA located at 12 High Street (CMMC) in Lewiston.

Tai Chi + Qigong for Energy + Health [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Dempsey Connects
Tai Chi is a movement therapy that promotes the flow of energy in the body to improve health. Suitable for all ages, this class will emphasize the practice and cultivation of different exercises that provide benefits such as improved balance, range of motion, and core strength, as well as pain management and decreased stress and anxiety.

Led by Jason Ames, founder and owner of Maine Center for Taijiquan & Qigong.

Open to all adult Dempsey Center clients.

Advanced Cancer Support Group - Morning [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Dempsey Connects
If you are living with an advanced cancer diagnosis, this is a safe place to explore ways to cope with the challenges of living with advanced illness and continue to find meaning and hope through discussion and connection.
Led by Kailie Sullivan, LCSW, OSW-C and Judi Stevens, Volunteer Support Group Facilitator.

Open to adult Dempsey Center clients living with advanced cancer.
Participants must be residents of Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachuesetts.

Online sign up is not available for this group. A telephone consult is required before attending. Please call us at (877)336-7287 or email registration@dempseycenter.org to request your consult.

Dempsey Dog Meet + Greet: Forest [Rock Row]
2025-11-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States

Virtual Cancer Support Group [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Dempsey Connects
Meet virtually with others impacted by a cancer diagnosis in this weekly support group. Whether you were recently diagnosed, in the midst of treatment, or are in remission, this group is a place to discuss your diagnosis and its lingering impact with those who truly understand.

Led by Paige Moore, LCSW, CAGC, OSW-C.

Open to adult Dempsey Center clients with a cancer diagnosis at any stage.
Participants must be residents of Maine.

Chair Yoga [Lewiston]
2025-11-20 11:00 - 11:45 | Dempsey Center – Lewiston (12 High Street), 12 High Street, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
Join us for a gentle, accessible form of yoga, open to all levels of experience. Chair Yoga utilizes both seated and standing poses using a chair for support to provide all the benefits of a traditional yoga practice. We will use movement, breathing, and mindfulness to improve muscular strength, bone density, immune support, flexibility, energy, sleep, and posture.
Led by Tish Caldwell, Dempsey Center’s Movement + Fitness Manager, Certified Oncology Yoga Instructor.
Open to Dempsey Center clients in active treatment or post-treatment and their primary care partner.

This series will take place at the YMCA located at 12 High Street (CMMC) in Lewiston.

Dempsey Dog Meet + Greet: Bruce [Rock Row]
2025-11-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States

Yoga for Cancer Care - Evening [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-20 17:30 - 18:30 | Dempsey Connects
Reduce stress, manage treatment side-effects, and aid cancer recovery through a unique evidence-based yoga method specifically for those diagnosed with cancer. Through movement, breathing, and mindfulness, this practice aims to provide benefits such as muscular strength, bone density, immune support, flexibility, and improved posture.

Led by Heather Edgerly Certified Oncology Yoga Instructor.

Open to all adult Dempsey Center clients.
Please note that participants must be able to transition from floor to standing.

Managing Cancer Treatment Side Effects with Cannabis/CBD [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-21 09:30 - 11:00 | Dempsey Connects
From treating pain and nausea to helping to ease the symptoms of neuropathy, more and more studies demonstrate positive benefits from the safe use of cannabis including CBD and other cannabinoids. In this informational session we will discuss alternative and adjunctive ways to manage the side effects of cancer and cancer treatments.

Led by Shari Berman and Dr. Sulak.

Open to the public.

Honoring Choice: About End-of-Life Doulas [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Dempsey Connects
Have you ever heard of an End-of-Life Doula? These providers offer non-medical holistic support that encompasses emotional, spiritual, and practical care. End-of-Life Doulas can provide companionship, comfort, and guidance to those facing a terminal illness or death and offer resources to help the dying person, along with their family and loved ones, make informed decisions in a supportive environment and provide opportunities for all to discuss the dying process. Learn more about the role they could play as you make decisions about your preparations.

Led by Erin Hayes, Certified End-of-Life Doula, Certified Professional Healthcare Risk Manager, and Certified Professional In-Patient Safety.

Open to the public.

Fitness for Life [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-24 09:30 - 10:15 | Dempsey Connects
Exercise can help fight fatigue, boost your energy level, support your immune system, relieve stress and tension, make your muscles and heart stronger, improve balance and help you sleep better. This 45-minute class will provide you with all the fundamentals of an exercise program, adapting it to meet the needs of varying levels of fitness with a warm-up, aerobic activity, core and strength training exercises, and finishing with a cooldown/stretch. Please wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes or sneakers and have a sturdy chair available on a non-skid surface and small handheld weights.

Led by Tish Caldwell, Dempsey Center’s Movement + Fitness Manager, Certified Oncology Yoga Instructor, and Livestrong Cancer Exercise Trainer.

Open to adult Dempsey Center clients.

Care Partner Support Group Series [Rock Row]
2025-11-24 11:00 - 12:30 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
If you are providing emotional and/or physical support to someone with cancer, this is the place for you. This 10-week group provides a safe, comfortable place to find the support, information, and understanding you need to continue caring for your loved one. We will discuss how to reduce isolation, worry, and fear.

Led by Sarah Kelley, LMSW-cc

Open to Dempsey Center clients who are care partners to a loved one diagnosed with cancer.

Strength After Breast Cancer [Rock Row]
2025-11-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Strength After Breast Cancer (SABC) is an 8-week exercise program open to clients with any cancer diagnosis in active or post-treatment. Presented by Seacoast Hand Therapy, this series is designed to teach individuals about the benefits of slow, progressive exercise and how it can reduce the onset and/or severity of lymphedema. SABC is also designed to improve strength and energy through safe upper and lower body stretches and strength exercises. Please note that this class is not restricted to clients with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Led by June Leary PT, CLT.

Open to Dempsey Center clients with any cancer diagnosis in active treatment or post-treatment.

Advanced Cancer Care Partner Support Group - Evening [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-24 17:00 - 18:30 | Dempsey Connects
If you are a care partner to someone with an advanced or metastatic cancer diagnosis, we welcome you to this space. This group provides a safe, comfortable place to find the support, information, and understanding you need to continue caring for your loved one and yourself. Together, we can find ways to help you reduce isolation, worry, and fear as you provide emotional and/or physical support throughout the journey.
Led by Jen Dimond, LCSW, OSW-C and co-facilitated with Volunteer Support Group Facilitator, Judi Stevens.
Open to adult Dempsey Center clients who are care partners to a loved one diagnosed with advanced cancer.
Participants must be residents of Maine.
Online sign up is not available for this group. A telephone consult is required before attending. Please call us at (877)336-7287 or email registration@dempseycenter.org to request your consult.

Morning Guided Meditation [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-25 08:00 - 08:30 | Dempsey Connects
Start your day with presence of mind and improved focus through a guided meditation session. These ongoing series will help you incorporate meditation as part of your daily routine and is designed for both beginners and those looking to establish a more consistent practice.

Led by Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW.

Open to all Dempsey Center clients.

Rock Row Cancer Support Group Series [Rock Row]
2025-11-25 10:00 - 11:15 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Meet in person at our Rock Row location with others impacted by cancer in this 12-week support group. Whether you were recently diagnosed, in the midst of treatment, or are now with no evidence of disease, this group is a place to discuss your diagnosis and its lingering impact with those who truly understand.

Led by Jennifer Keefe, MSW Intern.

Open to adult Dempsey Center clients with a cancer diagnosis at any stage.
Participants must be residents of Maine.

Yoga for Cancer Care [Lewiston]
2025-11-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Dempsey Center – Lewiston (12 High Street), 12 High Street, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
Reduce stress, manage treatment side-effects, and aid cancer recovery through a unique evidence-based yoga method specifically for those diagnosed with cancer. Through movement, breathing, and mindfulness, this practice aims to provide benefits such as muscular strength, bone density, immune support, flexibility, and improved posture.
Led by Tish Caldwell, Dempsey Center’s Movement + Fitness Manager, Certified Oncology Yoga Instructor.
Open to Dempsey Center clients in active treatment or post-treatment and their primary care partner.
Please note that participants must be able to transition from floor to standing.

This series will be taking place at the YMCA located at 12 High Street (CMMC) in Lewiston.

Heal: Yoga + Cancer [Rock Row]
2025-11-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
This series includes yoga postures, flowing movements and focus on breath to help students achieve relaxation and mobility in everyday life. Conscious effort to link breath with movement helps relieve tension, helps students gain flexibility and improve mobility and strength in the body. No yoga experience necessary.

Led by Jamie Navarro, Yoga in Action Certified Yoga Instructor.

Open to Dempsey Center clients in active treatment and their primary care partner.
Please note that participants must be able to transition from floor to standing.

Advanced Cancer Support Group [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-25 10:30 - 12:00 | Dempsey Connects
If you are living with an advanced cancer diagnosis, this is a safe place to explore ways to cope with the challenges of living with advanced illness and continue to find meaning and hope through discussion and connection.
Led by Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C.
Open to adult Dempsey Center clients living with advanced cancer.
Participants must be residents of Maine.

Online sign up is not available for this group. A telephone consult is required before attending. Please call us at (877)336-7287 or email registration@dempseycenter.org to request your consult.

TaiChi + Qigong for Energy + Health [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-25 14:00 - 14:45 | Dempsey Connects

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Series [Rock Row]
2025-11-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an evidence-based program that empowers participants to manage stress, pain, and illness through the practice of mindfulness. Together, we will explore practical skills and techniques that can enhance overall well-being. This series integrates mindfulness meditation, discussion, gentle movement, and stress reduction techniques to help individuals handle challenges like stress, illness, and pain more effectively.

Led by Mary Bitterauf, Nationally Board-Certified Health + Wellness Coach and MBSR Certified.

Open to adult Dempsey Center clients with a cancer diagnosis at any stage.

Advanced Cancer Support Group - Afternoon [Dempsey Connects]
2025-11-25 15:00 - 16:30 | Dempsey Connects
If you are living with an advanced cancer diagnosis, this is a safe place to explore ways to cope with the challenges of living with advanced illness and continue to find meaning and hope through discussion and connection.

Led by Michelle Hayes, LCSW, OSW-C and Jen Keefe, MSW Intern.

Open to Dempsey Center clients living with advanced cancer.
Participants must be residents of Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts.

Online sign up is not available for this group. A telephone consult is required before attending. Please call us at (877)336-7287 or email registration@dempseycenter.org to request your consult.

Dempsey Dog Meet + Greet: Meadow [Lewiston]
2025-11-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Dempsey Center – Lewiston (17 High Street), 17 High Street, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
Therapy dogs can help to provide emotional support, alleviate stress, improve moods, and help boost confidence. We are proud to encourage the animal-human bond through our teams of Dempsey Dogs, trained and registered by Pet Partners.
Drop in and say “hi” to our Dempsey Dog Teams. No sign-up needed!

Interested in spending some time with one of our Dempsey Dogs teams individually? Call 877-336-7287 to schedule your private Paws Together appointment with one of our therapy dog teams.

Dempsey Dog Meet + Greet: Louise Cheese [Rock Row]
2025-11-26 09:00 - 10:00 | Dempsey Center – Rock Row, 11 Rock Row, Westbrook, ME, 04092, United States
Therapy dogs can help to provide emotional support, alleviate stress, improve moods, and help boost confidence. We are proud to encourage the animal-human bond through our teams of Dempsey Dogs, trained and registered by Pet Partners.
Drop into our Rock Row center and say “hi” to our Dempsey Dog Teams. No sign up needed!

Interested in spending some time with one of our Dempsey Dogs teams individually? Call 877-336-7287 to schedule your private Paws Together appointment with one of our therapy dog teams.
