Large Turnout In Support Of Young Cancer Patient

Chelsea Student and Cheerleader Lindsey Atkinson Smiles Bravely At Jet’s Pizza Fundraiser

It’s always been said that the city of Chelsea takes care of Chelsea. And at the Jet’s Pizza tonight that was proven as they offered 10% of their sales to 15-year-old Lindsey Atkinson. Lindsey was diagnosed in April with Osteosarcoma, a very rare bone  cancer which affects only 20,000 people in the USA a year and is most prevalent in children and young adults. And Jet’s was packed wall to wall inside with people lined up outside waiting to get in to show their support for this amazing young lady!

The Chelsea Middle School and High School Cheer teams lined up in front of the restaurant doing cheers and holding signs in support of their fellow teammate and trying to get as many people as they could to stop in. Lindsey sat in her wheelchair in a corner of the restaurant near her family and friends with her left leg up in a cast and was greeted warmly all evening by all kinds of supporters giving her hugs and offering well wishes. Lindsey has been going through many bouts of chemotherapy and has had many drains in her leg. She was noticeably tired from the horrific ordeal she has bravely endured but she wore a big, beautiful smile all evening.

The Jet’s wait staff was kept very busy with all the food and drink orders coming in but there were no signs of any letdown as they warmly greeted everyone and although very busy, made sure everything was just perfect for the customers as always. As soon as one person got up it seemed two more would sit down. But it was all for a great cause. And it was great of Jet’s to step to the plate.

Lindsey is not out of the woods yet as she has to go in on the 20th of this month for more chemo. Although she doesn’t like it and it makes her sick and irritable she understands it has to be done and she doesn’t complain. Her eyes may appear tired but she has “vowed to never give up and will fight this ordeal and win,” she says.

“That’s my girl and I’d do and give anything to switch places with her,” Lindsey’s father Brian stated. “You hate to see any kid suffer but especially your own. it’s so hard. But we know things will work out for her.”

As well as the 10% Jets was donating they had bowls for people to deposit donations into and there were kids putting in their saved up change and others putting in much, much more. Even after the festivities ended there were still people coming in to donate.

“I am overwhelmed by the turnout,” Lindsey said as she tried not be emotional. “I can’t thank people enough for all their help. This is why I love Chelsea so much.”

Chelsea takes care of Chelsea. And tonight they took care of Lindsey Atkinson!

Chelsea Cheer

Lindsey and her mother Patty

Chelsea cheer team supporting their teammate

Chelsea Cheer

The local Police were on hand to help

Chelsea Cheer offering their support

Lindsey with her family

Chelsea’s Lindsey Atkinson Staying Strong

Lindsey as a freshman on the cheer team 

Lindsey Atkinson is just a regular teenager just like any other. She spends lots of time hanging out with her friends, her family, and on social media. But unfortunately Lindsey has had to spend lots of time too in places she would rather not be, like in hospitals.

Lindsey had knee surgery in April and they removed a tumor from the 15-year-old and biopsied it and it came back positive with Osteosarcoma, which is a very rare bone  cancer which affects about only 20,000 people in the USA a year! It is most prevalent in children and young adults.

After receiving the devastating news Lindsey didn’t get upset or give up. She got tough. She has had to undergo several chemo treatments and spend most of her spring and summer in the hospital. She has handled the journey very well except for a few days where she really was homesick, which for a teen struggling through this is understandable.

The whole Chelsea community has backed her selling yellow “Stay Strong Lindsey” bracelets and on Monday, July 11, Jet’s Pizza in Chelsea is donating 10% of all dine-in orders between 5-8 P.M. to Lindsey’s family to help offset some of the extreme cost of the medical treatments she has been receiving and to help with anything else she may need. Jet’s is located north of the clock tower in Chelsea at 506 N.Main St. Also, donations may be mailed in Lindsey’s name to P.O. Box 611 in Chelsea, 48118.

“It’s been really tough,” Lindsey stated. “I’m doing ok, it’s just hard for me to get around. I am very appreciative of all the people that have stood behind me and supported me, it means a lot to me and it helps me out even more than people know.”

While others were lighting fireworks, having fun on the lakes and having picnics Lindsey was up in the hospital with 2 drains in her leg. They pulled them and she got to go home and she has one long scar to show for it. But the soon to be Sophomore never complains about it. She understands and refuses to give in.

“I’ll probably miss most of the school year, at least half this year, but I plan on getting back and getting back on the sideline cheer team and cheering again for our Bulldogs,” Lindsey proudly exclaimed. “I used to figure skate and was going to be a varsity tennis player but who knows what I’ll be able to do with my new leg, I might not be able to do any of those things. But I’m going to do my best to recover through all this and try!”

Lindsey is the daughter of Brian and Patty Atkinson of Chelsea and has one brother, Jared.