Gregory rallies to support teen battling leukemia with "cuffed and stuffed" donut-eating contest

Nov. 18—GREGORY, S.D. — A crowd packed into Gregory on Friday night, united by a common cause: to support Levi Atkins, the 17-year-old son of local police officer Jeremy Atkins, in his fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

The benefit was organized by the Gregory Police Department and family friend Sarah Janak, with a fun twist—a "Cuffed and Stuffed" donut-eating competition that combined laughter with fundraising efforts.

AML is a rare but aggressive form of leukemia, accounting for about 20% of childhood leukemias. Treatment often requires intensive chemotherapy and potentially bone marrow transplantation.

The donut-eating contest itself was the brainchild of Jeremy Atkins' wife, Lesley Atkins, who thought it would be a fun, lighthearted way to raise money. But family friend and co-organizer Sarah Janak took over when she realized Lesley was organizing 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 to help Levi and his family just makes it all worth it."

Contestants, including officer Atkins, had to eat donuts with their hands cuffed behind their backs, all while raising money through a calcutta-style auction where attendees bid on who they thought would win.

Katie Hughes, a police officer from Winner, won the competition by managing to eat the most donuts in the allotted five minutes. Atkins came in second, though no one managed to finish all five donuts. Each contestant started with four orange-frosted donuts, and Hughes, who had only half a donut left when time was up, was declared the winner.

Levi Atkins' journey began in early August when he was diagnosed with AML after a series of seemingly minor health issues escalated into a life-changing diagnosis. Earlier that summer, Atkins had complained of being unusually tired and having swollen lymph nodes. Initially, doctors thought it was just a severe cold, but the situation took a sharp turn when his condition worsened, and doctors discovered his white blood cell count had reached alarming levels.

Since then, the teenager has undergone intense chemotherapy, including two daily rounds for 10 days, as well as weekly spinal chemo treatments. He has completed multiple cycles, each progressively stronger than the last. In addition to the challenges posed by AML, doctors discovered Atkins has a congenital heart condition called Left Sided Non-Compaction, which further complicates his recovery. As Atkins approaches his next round of bone marrow testing, the possibility of needing a bone marrow transplant looms, and with it, the need for treatment at a more specialized hospital.

The Atkins family, a blended household with five children ranging from 4 to 19 years old, has been grappling with the challenges of balancing work, treatment schedules, and family life. Atkins, who joined the Gregory Police Department in January 2023, has been traveling back and forth between work and Sioux Falls, where Levi receives treatment.

For rural families like the Atkins, dealing with cancer presents unique challenges. Levi lives with his mother in Vienna, S.D. during the school year. The nearest specialized pediatric cancer center is in Sioux Falls, approximately 120 miles from Vienna and 180 miles from Gregory. These considerable distances mean significant travel time and expenses for both parents, adding financial strain to an already stressful situation.

"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," Atkins said. "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."

Police Chief Ryan Cook described Gregory as a close-knit community of nearly 1,300 residents, where neighbors feel like family. Organizing an event to support one of their own was a natural response. The event attracted participants not only from Gregory but also from nearby Winner, where Atkins had previously served on the police force.

"We wanted to do what we can to support the family and help minimize out-of-pocket expenses during this incredibly difficult time," Cook said.

In addition to the donut competition, a silent auction featuring around 30 themed baskets added another layer of fundraising to the night. Items ranged from home goods and gift cards to handcrafted items, all donated by local businesses and community members.

The funds raised will help cover medical expenses, travel, and lodging costs associated with Levi's treatment.

"We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the Gregory community and beyond," Atkins said. "It means the world to us, and it helps more than words can express."