Boardman antique store raises funds for family

BOARDMAN — As many local students celebrated the end of the school earlier this month, one student’s school year ended much earlier — and not by his choosing.

Levi Kulikowski, a 7th grader at Boardman Glenwood Junior High, last attended classes in person in October, according to district spokeswoman Amy Radinovic. Since then, he has been receiving instruction at home in between treatments and hospital stays at Akron Children’s Hospital and Cleveland’s Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

Levi was diagnosed in December with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia with Philadelphia-like chromosomes. His illness first appeared when his mother thought he had the flu, along with some pain in his arm. After a visit to Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley in Boardman and blood tests, doctors discovered that Levi had an enlarged spleen. Even more concerning, his hemoglobin level had dropped to 5.4, well below the normal range of 11 to 14.

Levi was immediately flown to Akron Children’s Hospital main campus, where he began chemotherapy three days later. He underwent treatment for two to three weeks and was fortunate enough to return home for Christmas. However, on Dec. 28, he was admitted again after developing cold symptoms, which complicated his leukemia treatment.

Despite everything he has endured, Levi is still very much like any other 7th grader. He loves playing the saxophone, although that has become difficult because of mouth sores caused by his medications. He hopes to be able to join the school band again after he gets through things.

While spending so much time in the hospital and at home, he has kept himself busy by playing video games and reading about history.

Now back at home, Levi is excited to be doing some normal everyday activities again, including going bass fishing. He wears a backpack that continuously delivers medication needed for the next stage of his treatment.

When asked how he copes with everything, Levi said, “I just go with it. I try not to think about it, and I’ve hit the stage of owning it.”

It’s also nice because his younger brother Austin has been with him many times while trying to understand what his brother is going through.

The situation also has been challenging for Levi’s mother, Lauralynn Kulikowski, who has stayed with him during his lengthy hospital visits. While her employer has tried to help by allowing her to use vacation and personal time, she said finances are becoming difficult.

Sadly, health issues have plagued the family. Lauralynn lost another son, Owen, on March 12, 2020. He died of arthrogryposis. He had been on a ventilator, and his death was caused by respiratory failure leading to cardiac arrest when he was a child.

The family has received support from the community. Recently, Mr. Darby’s Vintage & Antiques hosted a basket raffle that raised much-needed funds. The store was able to raise more than $2,000.

In addition, Billy James, owner of the Chick-fil-A in Boardman near Giant Eagle on Route 224, will host a Spirit Day on June 25, with proceeds benefiting Levi and his family. In February, Boardman Glenwood Junior HIgh students had a Stay Strong for Levi day, raising more than $9,000. Students purchased and wore t-shirts designed with “Sparty.” More than 550 shirts were sold.

The family hopes the Chick-fil-A event will draw a large crowd, with supporters using the mobile app and making donations to help. It also hopefully will make others aware of what this teenager is going through.

Lauralynn said she would not be able to get through this without the strong support system of her family, who have been there for her and helped care for Levi’s brother, Austin, while she has been at the hospital.

“We just have to take it day by day,” Lauralynn said. “It’s great that Levi’s home now because the family loves to camp, and we’ve been able to get away a little bit on the weekends.”

Levi is doing OK, his mom said.

“He’s sleeping a lot and he will be starting what they call the harsh chemo next month,” she said.

Mr. Darby’s is still taking any donation amount for the family and asks customers to just drop it off, letting them know it’s for Levi.