People Feature: Lindsey Lehoux

A diagnosis is only the beginning of a cancer journey, which encompasses more than doctor visits and treatment plans. From comfort and community to education and mental health services, the Dempsey Center  supports those undergoing treatment, including their care partners, family members and friends at no cost. 

Lindsey Lehoux, Senior Professional Development Program Associate at Unum Group, learned about the Dempsey Center in 2013 when her cousin was diagnosed with brain cancer. During his treatment, Lindsey and her family got involved with the Center’s major fundraiser the Dempsey Challenge  and learned about their services, including nutrition and fitness classes and counseling.  

In January of 2023, Lindsey was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma, and began using the services at the Dempsey Center. Navigating a cancer diagnosis was an incredibly difficult and overwhelming time for Lindsey. However, the Dempsey Center provided the support and comfort she needed to feel hopeful and reassured throughout the journey. 

“I saw the Dempsey Center help my family, but it wasn’t until I was undergoing my own cancer treatment that I realized this was exactly where I needed to be and was the missing element in my treatment plan,” Lindsey said. “The people truly care, and it shows from the minute you walk in the door. They didn’t treat me like a cancer patient; I was just Lindsey.” 

Lindsey has been cancer free for 18 months and hopes more people will learn about the value of the Dempsey Center.  

Founded in 2009 by actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey, the Dempsey Center’s mission aligns to Unum Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility Healthier Communities focus area by ensuring individuals have access to essential health services and care. Unum Group supports the Dempsey Center through employee-directed giving, board service and employee-participation in volunteer activities. In April, the company also announced a multiyear commitment of $300,000 in support of their programs.   

Unum Group is a key sponsor of this year’s Dempsey Challenge, the Dempsey Center’s annual fundraising event that brings together individuals, families, and teams to support its mission of providing free cancer care and support services. Participants can run, walk, or cycle a variety of distances either in person or virtually, all while raising funds to ensure that those impacted by cancer receive the emotional, physical, and practical support they need. 

“As a Client of the Center, I can’t express how much the support from the Dempsey Center has meant to me,” Lindsey said. “By participating in the Dempsey Challenge, you’re not just raising funds—you’re giving hope, comfort, and strength to people like me when we need it the most. Cancer touches all our lives, and I encourage you to register for the Dempsey Challenge to help make a difference.” 

Unum Group’s commitment to helping people through challenging times extends to our approach to social responsibility, and we support non-profit organizations that make our communities stronger. In addition to the Dempsey Center, our grant support funds programs for the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer  in Chattanooga, which provides support to pediatric cancer patients and their families at no cost to help them cope and thrive throughout the journey to recovery, and the Ronald McDonald House Columbia , which helps families access the medical care and resources they need.