Gregory, S.D. — A strong sense of community filled the air in Gregory on Friday night, as locals gathered to support 17-year-old Levi Atkins in his battle against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The event, organized by the Gregory Police Department and family friend Sarah Janak, featured a lighthearted twist—a “Cuffed and Stuffed” donut-eating contest aimed at raising funds for Levi’s treatment.
AML, a rare and aggressive leukemia, accounts for about 20% of childhood cancers. It requires intense chemotherapy, and in some cases, a bone marrow transplant. The Atkins family is facing these challenges head-on as Levi undergoes his difficult treatment journey.
Lesley Atkins, Levi’s mother, came up with the idea for the donut-eating contest as a fun way to raise money for her son. However, it was Sarah Janak, a close family friend, who stepped in to organize the event. “Lesley had the idea, but there was no way I was going to let her plan her own family’s benefit,” Janak said. “It was such a fun idea, and we knew the community would love it. Seeing everyone come together for Levi and his family made it all worth it.”
The contest itself was unique: participants, including Officer Jeremy Atkins, had to eat donuts with their hands cuffed behind their backs. The event also included a calcutta-style auction, where attendees bid on which contestant they thought would win. Katie Hughes, a police officer from Winner, took the top spot by eating the most donuts in five minutes. Despite strong efforts from the other contestants, none were able to finish all five donuts. Hughes was declared the winner with just half a donut left.
Levi’s battle with AML began in August, when a series of seemingly minor health issues, like fatigue and swollen lymph nodes, led to his diagnosis. Initially thought to be a severe cold, his condition worsened, prompting doctors to discover dangerously high levels of white blood cells. Since then, Levi has endured aggressive chemotherapy, including daily treatments and weekly spinal injections.
In addition to AML, Levi faces another hurdle: a congenital heart condition called Left Sided Non-Compaction. This condition has complicated his treatment and recovery, making the road ahead even more challenging. As Levi prepares for further tests, including bone marrow evaluations, the prospect of needing a bone marrow transplant and additional specialized care looms large.
The Atkins family has been navigating these tough times while managing their busy household, which includes five children ranging in age from 4 to 19. Officer Jeremy Atkins, who joined the Gregory Police Department in January 2023, often travels between his job in Gregory and Levi’s treatments in Sioux Falls.
For rural families like the Atkins, the logistics of cancer treatment can be particularly daunting. Levi lives with his mother in Vienna, S.D., during the school year, while the nearest pediatric cancer center is in Sioux Falls, 120 miles away from Vienna and 180 miles from Gregory. These long distances mean the Atkins family faces significant travel time and expenses, placing additional financial and emotional strain on them.
“It’s hard leaving for work and missing time with Levi. It’s equally hard leaving Lesley to juggle everything at home while I’m gone,” Jeremy Atkins shared. “We do the best we can, but it’s hard not being everywhere I need to be, and it’s difficult to see Levi in pain. You just wish you could take it all away from him.”
As the community continues to rally behind the Atkins family, their support through events like the donut-eating contest provides both financial help and emotional strength during this difficult time.
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