{"id":28122,"date":"2019-12-11T12:35:20","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T19:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=28122"},"modified":"2022-01-31T14:19:14","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T21:19:14","slug":"frostbite-survivor-collects-warm-gear-for-the-homeless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/frostbite-survivor-collects-warm-gear-for-the-homeless\/","title":{"rendered":"Frostbite survivor collects warm gear for the homeless"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Frostbite
Frostbite survivor, Alec Grimes, does a warm gear drive every year at his office at Johns Manville in Littleton to prevent others from getting frostbite. Photos by Cyrus McCrimmon for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The young man is a Santa Claus for warm gear.<\/p>\n

Colorful hand-knitted scarves, neon down jackets and dozens of pairs of insulated gloves and wool socks surround Alec Grimes in overflowing boxes and bags.<\/p>\n

He collects the gear at his job at Johns Manville<\/a> in Littleton to give away to homeless adults and children because the 25-year-old knows all too well what it feels like to be dangerously cold.<\/p>\n

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How you can help<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you want to support Alec Grimes’ Bite Back Cold Weather Gear Drive<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

To deliver warm socks, hats, gloves, mittens, coats, scarves or other warm gear to the UCHealth Burn and Frostbite Center for donation to homeless shelters, please contact Nancy Biaggi at Nancy.Biaggi@uchealth.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Or, you can donate directly to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Three years ago, Alec was visiting friends in Fort Collins on what turned out to be one of the coldest nights in the city\u2019s history. With wind chills, it felt like 14 degrees below zero. Alec lives in Littleton, but had graduated from Colorado State University<\/a>. He was hanging out with some buddies and staying at his brother\u2019s apartment in Fort Collins.<\/p>\n

Late on Dec. 18, Alec tried to walk about two miles to his brother\u2019s place, wearing only canvas shoes and thin socks. His phone was dead, so he couldn\u2019t call for help or use an online map. The colder he got, the more disoriented he became.<\/p>\n

Finally, Alec made it to his brother\u2019s place. But, by then, he had suffered severe frostbite and the toes on both of his feet were turning an eerie blackish purple.<\/p>\n

A helicopter ride to save his toes from frostbite<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Alec\u2019s brother took him to the ER at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital<\/a>. Doctors there feared he might have to have his toes amputated. But, they knew the region\u2019s top frostbite experts were nearby at the UCHealth Burn and Frostbite Center<\/a> in Aurora.<\/p>\n

\"Frostbite
Alec Grimes suffered severe frostbite on both of his feet. By the time he reached the hospital, lack of blood flow was turning both of his feet purple. Photo courtesy of Alec Grimes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Getting Alec there fast could be critical to saving his toes. So the Poudre Valley team loaded Alec onto a helicopter and flew him to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital<\/a> on the Anschutz Medical Campus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There, Dr. Anne Wagner<\/a> and her team were poised to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cTime equals tissue. It\u2019s the same concept as a stroke,\u201d said Wagner, medical director of the Burn and Frostbite Center.<\/p>\n

She researches frostbite and teaches doctors around the country how best to treat frostbite.<\/p>\n

Wagner said Alec had a 70 to 90% chance of losing his toes.<\/p>\n

But, her research has shown that patients have a much better chance of avoiding amputation if they receive a clot-busting drug called tPA within hours after their extremities begin to warm.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot
Dr. Anne Wagner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The drug, which stands for tissue plasminogen activator, also helps some stroke patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tPA breaks down clots so blood and oxygen can flow through damaged tissues,\u201d Wagner said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more quickly you start it, the better the outcome. One study that I did showed that for every hour of delay in starting tPA after the frostbitten limb has been re-warmed, there\u2019s a 30% decrease in salvage,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Amputation is much more likely for those who don\u2019t get help within 12 hours, Wagner said.<\/p>\n

Paying it forward to keep others warm<\/h3>\n

Alec was extremely lucky that he got help fast. He spent some painful days in the hospital, but has recovered fully.<\/p>\n

Wagner said frostbite can be just as painful as burns.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrostbite actually damages the tissues all the way to the bones. When the big nerves suffer significant damage and don\u2019t get oxygen, that can cause a lot of pain,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, Alec doesn\u2019t suffer residual pain now. He has some red scars on both feet and is careful to dress warmly and wear good socks since his feet will be at greater risk for frostbite for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n

\"Frostbite
Alec Grimes holds a warm gear drive in November and December every year so others won’t have to suffer from frostbite like he did. He receives support from co-workers and supervisors at his employer, Johns Manville.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of all, Alec feels incredibly grateful that he survived a very challenging night and was able to avoid amputation. That\u2019s why he launched his \u201cBite Back Cold Weather Gear Drive,\u201d now in its third year.<\/p>\n

Last year, Alec collected about four carloads of warm gear. This year, he\u2019s on track to gather as much or more. His mom, who is a teacher, is also gathering gear at her school for the drive.
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Prevent frostbite:<\/strong><\/p>\n