Battalion Chief Paramedic Mark Smith Memorial

**Update** This morning 11/7/2021, Mark Smith lost his life due to COVID-19 with his beautiful wife, Susan, by his side. His family and his community are devastated. He has done so much to care for everyone else for so many years and the hole he has left is mighty. This fundraiser for the family for medical and living expenses has now been turned to a memorial fund.  In the process of caring for others who were suffering during this terrible time, COVID took his life. So many have reached out to ask what they can do to help....THIS is what you can do. And you can go home and hug someone you love. First Responders are our heroes. They put their lives on the line for us every day. Mark sacrificed everything for service. 

Mark Smith, husband, a father, an friend, an EMT, and hero has fallen extremely ill due to complications related to COVID-19. Mark is an amazing husband to his beautiful wife Susan, father of two awesome kids, Kayley and CJ. He is an inspiration to his family and community. Mark has been in EMS saving lives for 30 years in the Denver area.

Some of the places he has worked in his time as an EMT are Reed, AMR, Rural Metro, and Medical Center of Aurora. For the past 14 years he has been with Platte Valley Medical Center, most recently serving as Battalion Chief Paramedic. If you have needed the ambulance service in our community....Mark was most likely directly or indirectly involved.

 

 

 

Mark's enormous heart has left a lasting "mark" on anyone he meets. He's a huge inspiration too many, but especially his daughter Kayley. Kayley is also following in her fathers footsteps and works with him at Platte Valley as an EMT. She is so proud to wear the same uniform and get to work alongside her dad. Kayley is my daughter's longtime BFF and our families have become so close over the years.

He is so overwhelmingly kind and sweet to everyone he meets. Earlier this year, both of my own daughters were in a car accident. We brought them both to Platte Valley to ensure they were both in good health. Like a superhero, he appeared out of nowhere to check on us as soon as we got the girls settled. I have never felt more relieved to see someone as when he walked in to the ER. As an overwhelmed mama, a kind face who I trust wholeheartedly to keep my daughters safe. He always knows how to keep everyone smiling and laughing, so he immediately started picking on them and joking with them, like the Dad he is. The Denver area is so lucky to have this man to help keep them, their families, and their babies, safe.

 

 

 

He is fighting hard, kicking and screaming, with COVID-19. He was intubated last night, October 29, and has been resting. His lung function is slowly and slightly improving, and he could be looking at a long road to recovery.

Mark has saved countless lives and continues to do so every day, and it is our turn to return the favor. Please help us in our mission to raise at least $5000 to assist Mark and his family with medical bills and living expenses while he recovers. Anything we can give would be a blessing.

If you prefer to donate to the family in another way, reach out to me. I can do Venmo, Zelle, Facebook Pay or give my address if you would like to send a check.