Car puts cruisin for Levi on the back
March 23, 2023
In November of 2022, five-year-old Levi’s pathology report showed bad results. He had DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) with H3K27M mutant-DMG (Diffuse Midline Glioma). This is a brain tumor. They had to do 30 rounds of radiation to shrink it, but there was no cure.
Friends of the Burke family decided that they wanted to do something nice for Levi. Angela Purdy, a friend of Whitney Burke, Levi’s mother, decided to plan a car show, something Levi loved, right here in Danville for Levi. “I just woke up that morning and decided that I wanted to do something for them that he could enjoy,” Purdy said.
Sadly, Levi passed away on March 17: a day before the big car show. Even with his passing they continued with the car show in order to raise money and spirits for the family.
The car show had over 300 cars present and many people attended, some were even from many states away. Some guests included the Ringgold Fire Department, Blairs Fire and Rescue, Chatham Fire Department, Danville Police Department, the Danville Life Saving Crew, and many people brought their own cars.
The car show also had three very special guests. Transformers, Optimus Prime along with Ironhide and Bumblebee, were in attendance. One thing Levi loved during his short time on earth was all things transformers, his family says that was because he was the ultimate transformer, but Optimus Prime was his favorite. Many people donated money to the family so Optimus Prime could come to see Levi.
After Joe, the owner of Optimus Prime, heard about Levi’s condition he quickly jumped on board to help. He decided to bring his friends Ironhide and Bumblebee along for the mission. Once they heard about Levi’s declining condition they rushed to get here quickly. They unfortunately did not make it in time to meet Levi, but they were happy to be there to bring joy to a community and family who really needed it.
The Burke and Wyatt families are deeply rooted in the Tunstall area. Levi was a Stony Mill student and several members of Levi’s family work for Pittsylvania County Schools.
Donations can still be made to the Burke family. Any donations made will go towards paying hospital bills and funeral expenses. If you would like to make a donation you can make it through their GoFundMe. If you would like to share a memory of Levi or send condolences you can do that through their facebook page Prayers for Levi.
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