As we posted a few weeks back, one of Grey's Anatomy Insider's loyal readers, Shannon Gilmartin (a.k.a. marriedmymcdreamy), took part in the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston, Maine.

For those unfamiliar, the event is a charity bike race put together by Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey to benefit the Dempsey Center for cancer research in his home state.

Well, thanks in part to some donations from fellow Grey's Anatomy Insider readers, Shannon not only raised the most money ($10,130), but brought in the most donors (170)!

Because she raised the most money, Shannon got to go on a semi private ride the day before the October 4 Dempsey Challenge, riding in a group that included Patrick Dempsey himself and pro cyclists Ted King, George Hincapie and Dave Zabriskie (pictured below) ...

We're happy to have played a small role in helping a participant in such a neat event.

Moreover, we're happy that Patrick Dempsey is a guy who uses his popularity to do good things in this world, raising more than a million dollars for cancer research in a single day.

Congratulations to Shannon and to all the participants who made the first annual race so successful, and here's hoping the 2010 Dempsey Challenge is an even bigger success.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.