Help Larisa & Her Three Young Children after ALS

—Update June 19, 2024—

With sorrow we report the untimely passing of our dear brother, and great friend James Syrow. After his (and his family's) brave battle with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), James went to be with the LORD on Thursday the 13th of June, 2024. 

As an immigrant boy, James was a perennial bridge-builder between people of widely varying backgrounds. He was always able to envision how things could be better, while his hope for the glory of the Church on earth gripped his soul as well as his professional life all his days. 

James will be greatly missed, as we await our common resurrection on the Great Day of the Lord. Please continue to donate to support his family in this time. We extend our condolences to his dear wife Larisa, their children, and all his family and friends. May he rest in peace, and in God's perpetual light.

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James Syrow is a husband of Larisa Syrow, and father of three little children. In June 2022 he was diagnosed with ALS, an aggressive neuro-muscular disease on the forefront of current medical research. James is only 41-years old, and is actively approaching all treatments of this disease. Because they caught the disease so early, the Syrow family is committed to pursuing every treatment, including experimental research. 5-year old Sammy is helping his dad to practice speaking though he has diminished muscular control in his mouth; and his two daughters give him his daily regimen of hugs and affection.

James and Larisa have been conducting intensive research into care and treatment options. They’ve already sunk finances into treatments, tests, analyses, diagnoses. James remains highly optimistic, and the Syrows are actively consulting with experts to explore all options.

In 2023, James will need to make several expensive purchases in managing his disease. He has a $16,000 procedure coming up in March, and over $100,000 coming up in the rest of 2023 on:

This strategy, along with a holistic medical treatment plan, will help James to manage ALS as he and Larisa continue to pursue managing the impact of the disease on his quality of life. At this stage in time, James is on a downward slope, having lost in excess of 35lbs since June of 2022. The Syrows are optimistic about emerging medical treatments, and prayerfully await good news about James’ health.

Meet James. James is my best friend. He came to America as a boy with his mom from the USSR before the Berlin Wall fell.

We met in college, and have since been like brothers; we were each other’s best man at our weddings, are godfathers to each other’s children, and share our deepest values.

His Passion. When he was a boy in the 80s in the USSR, one of the things which kept his spirits lifted, believe it or not, was American TV. The wholesome depictions of good conquering evil were a life-line in a world where only evil prevailed.

Now a father of three young children, he especially sees the need of providing beautiful and wholesome children’s books and streaming. He has successfully a company, Burst, which revitalizes classic children’s stories and cartoons for the 21st century. In an age where streaming content is less and less safe and edifying for children, we need something like Burst more than ever.

However, just as he launched Burst, he has been hit with the news of an ALS diagnosis which has given him two years to live. With a two-year prognosis, he is in danger of being taken from his devoted wife, his three beautiful young children, and of leaving Burst—unless you help him by funding unconventional medical treatments. The disease has already taken its toll, making him mute, immobile, and taking 35lbs in six months.

James has changed the lives of many people, including myself, through his wisdom, compassion, and perseverance. Please help me to raise these funds so he can have a chance at beating this desease.