Mark Byrd's Praying Pit Crew
Donation protected
This website has been created in order to keep the family and friends of Mark Byrd in the loop of his condition and progress made in the upcoming days, weeks and months ahead. As many of you know there has been an overflow of love sent to our family during this time and we are so grateful for each and everyone of you. However, it has become overwhelming to attempt to respond to everyone and therefore from this point forward, we will continue to monitor and update as the family feels is necessary in order to keep the family and friends of Mark notified.
If you have known Mark for any length of time you will know that he loves his family, works extremely hard and has a passion for racing. Matter of fact, this is really his only hobby. In the years of his two daughters growing up he was considered to be "everyone's dad" after having coached softball for nearly eighteen years. He was a father figure to everyone (even if he did make us run laps). Having worked and retired from the Town of Selma, I believe there isn't a person who didn't know who he was. Everywhere we went - he saw someone he knew! He has been married to Belinda for thirty-five years as of October 21, 2019! Thirty-five years y'all! That is a long time! They have two daughters (Ashley & Nicole) who have blessed him to be a "Papa". He is the BEST Papa to 7 grandkids (4 girls, 3 boys) who adore him! He would give them the entire world if he could.
Mark has many friends who have been around so long they are basically family. If he wasn't working - you could catch him working in his shop piddling around on his race car. He loved spending time on his car making it the best it could be. He had a passion to be at the racetrack surrounded by people who he competed with yet could still laugh and have a great time with. We are beyond blessed for Mark's life and the way God has used him to show compassion to other people in their time of need. Now, we ask you for heartfelt, sincere prayer.
On Saturday September 14, 2019 around 6PM Mark had been doing what he loved. He and another friend (Joey) were loading the race car within the enclosed trailer whenever a problem with a fuel line was noticed. During this time, in a matter of seconds an explosion occurred causing major injuries to Mark. Mark was able to crawl out of the driver side window and ran to find his wife for help who was inside the house at the time. Many neighbors advise they heard the explosion(s) and ran to help him while Belinda called 911. We are incredibly grateful for friends and neighbors who were willing to sacrifice their safety in order to assist in any way that they can. After the first explosion occurred there were several additional booms that occurred causing major damage to the garage, vehicles, enclosed trailer and home. All these things are material things and can be replaced as time goes on.
Mark was transported by ambulance to Johnston Memorial Hospital where he was medically sedated and intubated and then airlifted to UNC Chapel Hill Burn Center ICU. Upon arrival to the burn center the news we were given are as follows:
9/14/19:
60% of his body is burned
A main IV line and arterial line was put in place.
Marks scalp and face and neck have second degree burns.
His upper extremities have second and third degree burns.
Catheter was put in place
Dr's advised that a pulse could still be felt within the palms of his hands.
His legs below the knees to the ankles have second and third degree burns. (this seems to be most concerning and may need several surgeries to repair in the future)
He will spend several months here at the Burn Center.
Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy will begin prior to surgeries
During this timeframe we plan to remain transparent and completely open to God's plan. Although, it has been extremely heartbreaking to watch unfold we are beyond blessed that the Lord spared his life. Mark will have a testimony like no other when he fully recovers. We all have along road ahead and we expect valleys in the mountains. I heard just yesterday that it is when we are in those valleys when we are supplied the most nutrients. We have to be obedient to the word of GOD and be fervent in prayer.
Prayer request as of 9/14/19:
Guided hands of the doctors and nurses in his care
Pray for clear unharmed lungs
Clear throat with no signs of trauma
We need his body to rest
We pray for no infection
Maintain blood pressure and heart rate
Maintain body temperature
Maintain pain level
He must continue to urinate (needs fluid)
Any and all proceeds collected will assist in the medical expenses that accrue over time. Mark has a lengthy stay at the burn unit in ICU and his wife plans to request temporary housing offsite during this time. This housing is not free. Mark does have medical insurance; however any money collected will be diligently accounted for in the needs that arise over the upcoming weeks and months.
We simply ask that you not feel obligated to contribute - but please pray for Mark and the healing of his body. This is going to be a long road to recovery and positive encouragement and uplifting spirits are welcomed. We love you all. No matter the proceeds collected, God WILL always provide!
If you have known Mark for any length of time you will know that he loves his family, works extremely hard and has a passion for racing. Matter of fact, this is really his only hobby. In the years of his two daughters growing up he was considered to be "everyone's dad" after having coached softball for nearly eighteen years. He was a father figure to everyone (even if he did make us run laps). Having worked and retired from the Town of Selma, I believe there isn't a person who didn't know who he was. Everywhere we went - he saw someone he knew! He has been married to Belinda for thirty-five years as of October 21, 2019! Thirty-five years y'all! That is a long time! They have two daughters (Ashley & Nicole) who have blessed him to be a "Papa". He is the BEST Papa to 7 grandkids (4 girls, 3 boys) who adore him! He would give them the entire world if he could.
Mark has many friends who have been around so long they are basically family. If he wasn't working - you could catch him working in his shop piddling around on his race car. He loved spending time on his car making it the best it could be. He had a passion to be at the racetrack surrounded by people who he competed with yet could still laugh and have a great time with. We are beyond blessed for Mark's life and the way God has used him to show compassion to other people in their time of need. Now, we ask you for heartfelt, sincere prayer.
On Saturday September 14, 2019 around 6PM Mark had been doing what he loved. He and another friend (Joey) were loading the race car within the enclosed trailer whenever a problem with a fuel line was noticed. During this time, in a matter of seconds an explosion occurred causing major injuries to Mark. Mark was able to crawl out of the driver side window and ran to find his wife for help who was inside the house at the time. Many neighbors advise they heard the explosion(s) and ran to help him while Belinda called 911. We are incredibly grateful for friends and neighbors who were willing to sacrifice their safety in order to assist in any way that they can. After the first explosion occurred there were several additional booms that occurred causing major damage to the garage, vehicles, enclosed trailer and home. All these things are material things and can be replaced as time goes on.
Mark was transported by ambulance to Johnston Memorial Hospital where he was medically sedated and intubated and then airlifted to UNC Chapel Hill Burn Center ICU. Upon arrival to the burn center the news we were given are as follows:
9/14/19:
60% of his body is burned
A main IV line and arterial line was put in place.
Marks scalp and face and neck have second degree burns.
His upper extremities have second and third degree burns.
Catheter was put in place
Dr's advised that a pulse could still be felt within the palms of his hands.
His legs below the knees to the ankles have second and third degree burns. (this seems to be most concerning and may need several surgeries to repair in the future)
He will spend several months here at the Burn Center.
Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy will begin prior to surgeries
During this timeframe we plan to remain transparent and completely open to God's plan. Although, it has been extremely heartbreaking to watch unfold we are beyond blessed that the Lord spared his life. Mark will have a testimony like no other when he fully recovers. We all have along road ahead and we expect valleys in the mountains. I heard just yesterday that it is when we are in those valleys when we are supplied the most nutrients. We have to be obedient to the word of GOD and be fervent in prayer.
Prayer request as of 9/14/19:
Guided hands of the doctors and nurses in his care
Pray for clear unharmed lungs
Clear throat with no signs of trauma
We need his body to rest
We pray for no infection
Maintain blood pressure and heart rate
Maintain body temperature
Maintain pain level
He must continue to urinate (needs fluid)
Any and all proceeds collected will assist in the medical expenses that accrue over time. Mark has a lengthy stay at the burn unit in ICU and his wife plans to request temporary housing offsite during this time. This housing is not free. Mark does have medical insurance; however any money collected will be diligently accounted for in the needs that arise over the upcoming weeks and months.
We simply ask that you not feel obligated to contribute - but please pray for Mark and the healing of his body. This is going to be a long road to recovery and positive encouragement and uplifting spirits are welcomed. We love you all. No matter the proceeds collected, God WILL always provide!
Fundraising team: Mark Byrds Praying Pit Crew (2)
Ashley Dixon
Organizer
Selma, NC
Belinda Byrd
Beneficiary
Nicole Gundler
Team member
