Dermatology and Skin Health's Campbell Named Recipient of 2015 Amanda Dempsey Award

Dermatology and Skin Health founder, and two-time melanoma survivor Dr. James Campbell of Dover, has been named the 2015 Amanda Dempsey Award Winner presented by Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer®. Named in memory of Amanda Dempsey, the award is given annually to a cancer survivor who demonstrates a passion for helping others with cancer in the state of Maine. It is presented in conjunction with the annual Dempsey Challenge, the primary fundraising event for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.

Stemming from personal experience, Campbell is passionate about the detection, treatment, and prevention of skin cancer. As the founder of Dermatology and Skin Health, he understands that skin cancer can kill if not caught early. He believes that access to skin cancer screenings and removal of suspicious moles should never be determined by insurance coverage, so it is his policy to see all patients concerned about a suspicious growth regardless of insurance coverage. Campbell is an active participant in the American Academy of Dermatology-sponsored skin cancer screening clinics each May, giving patients in southern Maine and seacoast New Hampshire access to free skin cancer screenings.

Campbell has been a driving force in developing educational programs for children. In 2014, he was instrumental in the creation of “Make Big Change,” an action-oriented non-profit dedicated to increasing social awareness, educating school-age children, and preventing skin cancer. He has also spearheaded the Global Sunscreen Initiative, through which Make Big Change places free sunscreen dispensing devices throughout New England, including this year’s Dempsey Challenge, October 17-18.

“Preventing skin cancer comes not only through education and increasing social awareness, but also through the simple act of having access to free sunscreen,” Campbell said. “I am surprised, humbled and honored to be recognized by such a wonderful group who understands the full range of cancer care: prevention, detection and support.”

Presenting sponsor of the event for the seventh year, Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer is a partnership between Amgen and four nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing patients with education, resources and hope. The Breakaway from Cancer partners collectively offer a broad range of support services to people affected by cancer, complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals.

“Each year our partnership with the Dempsey Challenge reinforces the foundation of our Breakaway from Cancer initiative,” said Bob Azelby, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “Amgen is proud to be part of this event and to honor Dr. Campbell for his dedication to leadership in their fight against skin cancer. Dr. Campbell is a key player in the team that is leading the fight to overcome this disease and we applaud his commitment to education and awareness. Congratulations, Dr. Campbell and thank you for your devotion to this effort.”

Campbell will formally accept the award on Saturday, October 17, at the Champions for Hope Celebration, which recognizes the fundraising efforts of Dempsey Challenge participants. Past award winners include: Nel Bernard, Hailey Sontag, Kristen Short, Laura Davis, Scott Thomas, Carlene Sperry and Allen Lariviere.

As part of Dempsey Challenge weekend, Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer and the Dempsey Challenge invite all cancer patients, survivors, and their families to walk with Campbell and actor Patrick Dempsey in the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 a.m. at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The walk is free to the public and there is no need to preregister. Participants are encouraged to visit the Dempsey Center Spirit of Hope Tent by 9:45 a.m. to be directed to the staging area for the Walk.

About Breakaway from Cancer®


Amgen is leading the race to dramatically improve people’s lives through its national initiative, Breakaway from Cancer®. Founded in 2005 by Amgen, Breakaway from Cancer aims to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship.

Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit partner organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. These organizations offer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals. For more information, please visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com or follow us on twitter.com/breakawaycancer

About The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing

The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing was founded in 2008 in honor of Amanda Dempsey, by her children, and in partnership with Central Maine Medical Center. The Dempsey Center provides free support, education and integrative medicine serivces to anyone impacted by cancer, regardless of where treatment is received. For more information visit www.dempseycenter.org.