Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

Four years ago, my family’s life changed forever…Daily phone calls are made between my family as I live in Washington state, and they live in Pennsylvania. I remember in June of 2020 receiving a phone call from my dad, Jim, on a warm sunny day as I pushed my son on the swings at the playground. I was excited to pick up the phone to proudly show him his 2.5-year-old grandson on the swing, kicking his feet back and forth as he tried to learn how to swing on his own. However, I knew something was wrong once I heard my dad’s voice. As best as any father who must face telling their only daughter devasting news, he told me he had been diagnosed with Hereditary ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease. Once diagnosed the average life expectancy is 2-5 years. My heart dropped as I knew the struggles of this uncurable disease, as my Uncle Michael (Jim’s brother), passed away from ALS in 2004.

I remember getting off the phone and a woman I’d never met, but overheard me talking, hugged me and we cried and prayed together as we continued to push our kids on the swings. That night I went to bed feeling closer to my dad than I’ve ever felt before, and in that moment, I knew I wanted him to never feel alone during his ALS battle. Thankfully, in the first two years, Jim’s progression was relatively slow, but now we’re at a point where my family needs additional help to keep Jim comfortable and alive for as long as we can.

These pictures of Jim pre-ALS show just how healthy and active he was. He was a runner, skier, biker, scuba diver, and golfer. Jim took care of himself mentally and physically, but with no cure, every part of his body has been taken by ALS.

Jim and Leann skiing (2010).

Jim with his family on his sons', Matt, wedding (2017).

Jim swimming with his grandson, Ryan (2017).

Hereditary ALS has been an unwelcome guest in our lives, affecting not only Jim and his brother Michael, but our entire family. Watching him gradually lose his ability to perform even the most basic tasks is a heart-wrenching experience. Despite his unwavering courage and determination, the toll on his physical and emotional well-being is significant. Jim’s positivity throughout this journey has been graceful and inspiring. It has shown me that I’ve been blessed with a family that loves each other unconditionally and will always be there for each other.

Jim at lunch with his wife, Julie, and grandson (2020).

As ALS advances, so do the financial burdens associated with managing the disease, and health insurance can only cover so much. From medical bills to specialized equipment, and home modifications the costs are mounting rapidly. Jim was forced to retire early because of ALS after 37 years as a successful Realtor in Bucks County, PA. Despite our best efforts, it has become increasingly challenging to keep up with these expenses. My dad deserves the best care in the world and that is the reason why I’m reaching out for help.This GoFundMe for Jim will help alleviate some of my family's financial strain and help our family explore treatment options. Your generosity and support can make a world of difference in ensuring that Jim receives the care and resources he desperately needs to fight this battle.

Jim with his wife and sons' family (2022).

Every donation, no matter how small, will contribute to enhancing Jim’s quality of life and easing the burden on our family. Your kindness and compassion during this difficult time mean more to us than words can express.

Please consider sharing Jim’s GoFundMe page to help spread the word about his ALS journey. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in his life and provide him with the support and resources he needs to continue his fight against ALS.

Jim with his grandsons, Ryan and Rowan (2022).

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and generosity. With your help, we can give my dad, Jim Byelich, a better chance of living another day with his family comfortably and happily.

If you would like to read more about Hereditary ALS and Jim's battle, check out this article Jim was featured in: Putting the ‘Counseling’ in ‘Genetic Counseling’.