Cancer survivor Mike LePage, left, Oscar Castro and Scott Maker chat Sunday before leaving for a 50-mile bike ride in Cumberland. A group of longtime friends started the Dempsey Challenge ride at the home of Dempsey Center nutritionist Judy Donnelly. “It’s a wonderful group. We have known each other for years,” said Barry Kurland of Poland. “My goal is to stay on my bike,” said LePage while talking about one of the larger hills that the group would face later in the day. LePage was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. “I don’t use the word remission,” he said. “I prefer to say that I don’t have cancer anymore.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Longtime friends gather Sunday at the home of Dempsey Center nutritionist Judy Donnelly in Cumberland before leaving for a 50-mile bike ride. Donnelly, second from left, and Lisa Balsam, client program director at the Dempsey Center, far left, got together with a group of friends to celebrate the Dempsey Challenge. “It’s a wonderful group. We have known each other for years,” said Barry Kurland, fourth from right, of Poland. “My goal is to stay on my bike,” said cancer survivor Mike LePage, fourth from left, while talking about one of the larger hills that the group would face later in the day. LePage was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. “I don’t use the word remission,” he said. “I prefer to say that I don’t have cancer anymore.” Shown from left: Lisa Balsam, Judy Donnelly, Michael Balsam, Mike LePage, Barry Kurland, Oscar Castro, Scott Maker and Tim Donnelly. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Lisa Balsam, left, Michael Balsam, Judy Donnelly, Mike LePage, Barry Kurland, Oscar Castro, Scott Maker and Tim Donnelly. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Scott Maker, right, Michael Balsam and Lisa Balsam begin their 50-mile Dempsey Challenge bike ride Sunday from the home of Dempsey Center nutritionist Judy Donnelly in Cumberland. Lisa Balsam is the client program director for the Dempsey Center. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Michael Balsam and his wife, Lisa, begin their 50-mile Dempsey Challenge bike ride Sunday from the home of Dempsey Center nutritionist Judy Donnelly in Cumberland. Lisa Balsam is the client program director for the Dempsey Center. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Tim Donnelly begins his 50-mile Dempsey Challenge bike ride Sunday from his home in Cumberland. Donnelly’s wife, Judy, is a nutritionist for the Dempsey Center. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo