Stand with Poke Byers in His Fight Against Cancer

Help Poke Byers Fight His Battle Against Cancer

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

I’m reaching out to share the story of my lifelong friend, Poke Byers, a man whose faith, love, and resilience have touched countless lives, including mine. My family and Poke’s life are intertwined; our families are bound by a deep friendship that began in the dusty plains of Guymon, Oklahoma. In their late teens, Poke and my father found salvation together, forging a bond that carried them through life’s highs and lows. In the 1970s, they both felt called to East Tennessee, where they planted roots, raised families, and built a legacy of faith. Poke’s children are my siblings in spirit, as close as blood, and together, we’ve shared a lifetime of memories—ministering at church, playing music and lifting our hearts to the father, and leaning on each other through life’s hardest moments.

Poke has always been a pillar of strength. Whether strumming his guitar and lifting his voice, filling our worship together with sounds from the throne room, or offering a comfort and prayer during a storm, he’s been there with me, for his family, and for our community. When I lost my wife, Elizabeth, and later my father, Poke was by my side, grieving with me, his tears mingling with mine as we found solace in faith and friendship. His heart is a rare one—full of compassion, zeal, and an unshakable trust in God’s plan.

Now, Poke faces the fight of his life. Recently, he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma, brain tumor, a devastating blow that has brought uncertainty and hardship to his family. He’s battling this disease with the same courage and grace he’s always shown, but the road ahead is daunting. The treatments—surgeries, chemo, and medications—are critical to giving him a fighting chance, but insurance doesn’t cover everything. The mounting medical bills, coupled with everyday expenses, can be overwhelming as Poke and his family focus on his health and recovery.

This fundraiser is a call to rally around Poke, to lift him up as he has lifted so many of us. Every donation, no matter the size, will help cover the costs of his treatments, medications, and bills that insurance won’t touch. It will ease the burden on his family, allowing them to focus on supporting Poke through this battle. If you can’t give financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your network or offering a prayer for Poke’s strength and healing. Your love and support, in any form, mean the world.

I think of the countless times Poke’s music filled our gatherings, his voice steady and warm, or the moments we stood together in grief, finding hope in shared faith. Now, it’s our turn to stand with him. Let’s show Poke that he’s not alone in this fight—that the community he’s poured into for decades is here to carry him through.

With gratitude and hope,

Nehemiah Ward

*How Your Support Helps: Donations will go directly to Poke to help medical expenses, including treatments, medications, and uncovered hospital bills, as well as essential living costs to support his family during this challenging time.