LEWISTON — The Woman’s Hospital Association of Central Maine Medical Center launched its 4th annual Memory Mum Project on Sept. 14. The project was initially created as a way to honor Amanda Dempsey, mother of actor Patrick Dempsey and his sister, Mary, co-founders of the Dempsey Center.

They created the Memory Mum Project to benefit three cancer-related services at CMMC. The Dempsey Center’s Maine Fund for cancer patients helps with financial assistance to patients struggling to meet critical needs, such as food, heating oil, electricity and gas.

The Cancer Immediate Needs Fund at the Cynthia Rydholm Center for cancer patients assists those struggling to purchase needed medication. The Sam and Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center Patients Needs Fund helps pay for screening mammograms, extended diagnostic images, and breast biopsy services for women and men who have inadequate or no health insurance.

It costs $15 to dedicate a Memory Mum by either visiting the WHA Gift Shop in the main hospital lobby at CMMC or going to https://goo.gl/qtBUXT to download a form. Those who provide their email address or cellphone number will receive a photograph of their Memory Mum. WHA will also notify those who purchase a Memory Mum of when it will be coming out of the ground so that it can be picked up and brought home.