Dear Friends, Family and Community,

Our son, Bryce, and daughter-in-law, Sara, find themselves facing a tremendous challenge that they never expected to encounter. Their precious newborn daughter, Lyra Grace, was born June 13. Within days of her birth, Lyra was diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) also known as bubble boy disease. A rare genetic disorder that requires urgent medical intervention. Additionally, she’s unfortunately working through hearing loss and heart issues that may or may not be associated with SCID.

SCID is an extremely rare genetic condition in which infants are born with no immune system, so rare that only 70 babies per year are diagnosed. This genetic mutation means that the simplest of infections can be fatal and without treatment life expectancy is around 2 years old. The gold standard for treatment is a bone marrow transplant and with early diagnosis/treatment most children go on to live happy, healthy lives.

Our family is shattered by this diagnosis. Lyra must live in total isolation while she awaits her bone marrow transplant, most likely from her brother, Luka. She will then need to be in isolation through the months following to ensure her body responds well to the transplant. Currently, she is receiving critical care in the Spokane Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and will soon undergo a life-saving bone marrow transplant at Seattle Children's Hospital.

This has been, and will be, emotionally taxing. Additionally, Lyra's treatment necessitates that the family temporarily relocate from Spokane to Seattle for an unknown number of months to ensure her best chance at recovery.

Bryce and Sara are deeply reluctant to reach out. However, we know they face substantial costs for

- medical expenses not covered by insurance,

- housing, transportation, daily living expenses in Seattle,

- maintaining at home and

- loss of Sara’s income.

The financial strain will be significant. Their primary focus needs to be solely on Lyra's health and well-being in addition to ensuring their 21-month-old son, Luka, is cared for.

Your generosity and support would mean the world to them during this incredibly challenging time. Every donation, no matter the size, will go towards allowing them to concentrate on Lyra’s care and recovery.

It is very important to Bryce and Sara that they pay it forward. As such, they want to assure you that any funds raised beyond what is required until Lyra is well will be donated to charity(s) such as Ronald McDonald House in honor of Lyra Grace's journey and the support they've received.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sending positive thoughts and prayers for Lyra’s journey. Your kindness, prayers, and support are deeply appreciated by our entire family.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Debbie and Doug Burchak