LEWISTON — The Auburn-Lewiston YMCA and The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing have recently announced a new collaboration that will enable cancer patients to receive services at the Y at no cost.

Funds raised by the YMCA’s team for the Dempsey Challenge (Sept. 27-28), will be matched by the Positive Tracks matching challenge grant and other local community partners.

Positive Tracks is a youth-centric nonprofit that empowers young people, age 23 or under, to raise funds for charitable organizations using the power of athletics to get active and give back. The funds will then go to serve Dempsey Center cancer patients, survivors and families who wish to take advantage of additional services at the Y.

“What’s so special about this initiative,” said Dempsey Center Executive Director Wendy Tardif, “is that the funds raised by the YMCA team are not just matched by Positive Tracks and other local partners but also go full circle, in that they’re earmarked to go back to the Y through programs that serve cancer patients and families.”

Steve Wallace, YMCA CEO added, “We’re so pleased to be able to offer programs like childcare for families that have a primary caregiver undergoing cancer treatment, fitness memberships for cancer survivors and youth program memberships for young people impacted by cancer, as part of our relationship with the Dempsey Center. Our values are youth development, healthy living and social responsibility and as such we strive to partner with like-minded organizations. Our shared values make our relationship with the Dempsey Center a really natural fit.”

There’s still time to join or donate to the PT AL YMCA Village People at www.DempseyChallenge.org or cheer them on at the event when they walk, run and cycle to support people impacted by cancer.

For more information about benefits to cancer patients, contact the Dempsey Center at 795-8250.