LEWISTON — The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center will have an open house  from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. Dempsey Center staff will be present to offer tours and answer questions and light refreshments will be served.

The center, located at 10 High Street, Suite 301, on the CMMC campus, is an integral part of cancer care at the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center and affiliated clinics at Bridgton and Rumford. In its first year of operation, the center had more than 6,000 direct patient contacts and served more than 2,000 on its toll-free cancer helpline.

In response to his mother’s multiple bouts with ovarian cancer, actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey founded the center in March, 2008. The center strives to embrace the whole person, including body, mind and spirit in a respectful, inclusive and healing environment. A variety of support programs, educational resources and wellness services, including massage and reiki, are offered to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers 100 percent free of charge.

Along with a variety of workshops throughout the year, the center also offers a host of ongoing support programs including a Monday evening caregiver support group, Tuesday evening breast cancer support group and monthly prostate cancer support group. Knitting Circles, for any ability level, meet weekly to create hats, blankets, bra inserts and other items created for cancer patients.

For more information, call the Dempsey Center at 795-8250, toll-free at 1-877-336-7287 or visit www.dempseycenter.org.