LEWISTON — A Specialized custom Roll 8 Rare bicycle fetched $4,420 in an online auction hosted by the Dempsey Challenge in late December. The bike was donated by Specialized Bicycles, a Dempsey Challenge sponsor since the event’s inception in 2009.

Stephen Forney of Albuquerque, N.M., had his bid matched by Specialized and Bicycling Magazine for a grand donation total of $13,260.

“Specialized could not be more honored to be a part of such a great project,” said Mike Sinyard, founder and CEO of Specialized Bicycles. “The work done by Patrick and the whole team at the Dempsey Center is very powerful in that it changes lives for the better every single day.”

Actor Patrick Dempsey, founder of the Dempsey Challenge, was pictured with the bike on the cover of the January-February issue of Bicycling.

“Bicycling was really excited and proud to play a role in the auction of the custom Roll 8 Rare to benefit the Dempsey Center,” said Peter Flax, editor in chief of the magazine. “When you put together a super-cool bike and a great cause, you know good things can happen. But the fact that we raised more than $13,000 out of one simple idea just blows me away.”

The Dempsey Challenge serves as the primary fundraiser for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing which provides free support and education to anyone impacted by cancer. The 5th annual Dempsey Challenge will take place Oct. 12-13 in Dempsey’s hometown of Lewiston.

The event features a 5K and 10K run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 12, and cycling rides of 10, 25, 50, 70 and 100 miles the following day. The 2012 event attracted 4,294 participants from 33 states and six countries and raised $1.2 million to benefit the Dempsey Center.

More information can be found at www.dempseychallenge.org.

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