Investigators: Jeff Biernaskie (project leader), University of Calgary; Vincent Gabriel, University of Calgary

Description: The surgical standard of care for deep burns and wounds is autologous split thickness skin grafting (STSG). It can be done quickly and may be lifesaving. Unfortunately, because only the superficial layers of skin can usually be harvested, STSGs do not contain the normal complement of dermal cells within them and thus are incapable of generating normal skin appendages (hair follicles, sweat and oil glands).

Consequently, STSGs are dry, hard, itchy, relatively insensate and aesthetically displeasing skin. We previously isolated and characterized a dermal stem cell that resides in mammalian hair follicles. These dermal stem cells function to induce hair follicle formation/regeneration and are important for maintenance and repair of the dermis. They can also generate multiple dermal cell types. More recently we have also isolated a similar precursor from the adult human skin. Based on these findings, we will ask whether human dermal stem cells are capable of replenishing dermal tissue within STSGs, and whether they improve the overall function of grafted skin. We are transplanting these adult human dermal precursor cells into a model of human STSG we developed. We are also evaluating non-invasive imaging techniques to measure outcomes in wound healing. Furthermore, we are conducting patient interviews with people whom have had STSG to collect information on their experiences living with skin grafts. With funding support from the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, this will project will provide preliminary data and a patient centered guide for our future human clinical trials using a patient’s own stem cell transplants to improve outcomes in split thickness skin grafting, the most commonly performed surgery for deep burns and other wounds.

Benefits: The outcomes from this project will allow us to design and carry out patient-centered and clinically-relevant translational research into applying autologous skin precursors to modify outcomes in wound healing and split thickness skin grafting, the most common and gold standard of clinical surgical care in deep burns and wounds.

Term: 2011-12

Come on out to the Southport – Link to Atrium on December 14 from 11:00am to 2:00pm for a Hotstuff Calendar signing. We need your support so we hope to see you there.

We have all heard of the Hotstuff calendar. Twelve pages of chiseled abs and provocative poses that feature our city’s firefighters. Women and even some men wait patiently for each year’s issue to come out so they can plaster their walls with the men who keep our city safe.

On Oct.5, The Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society threw its second annual fundraiser event the, “Win a date with a Hotstuff Firefighter” at the Back Alley nightclub. The event featured 14 of the featured Hotstuff Calendar Firefighters as they were raffled off to four lucky ladies who get to go on a date with their choice of firefighter. One Hundred per cent of the proceeds go to the Foothills Hospital Burn Unit.

“We could not do what we do without the help and time that these guys spend.” The Hotstuff Calendar is just one of several events the Burn Treatment Society puts on to raise money for the Burn Unit at the Foothills hospital. With the money raised, Foothills Medical Center decides what the unit needs most and purchases these items to improve the unit’s service.

The Hotstuff Firefighters donate their time for one full year to help the charity.

“We could not do what we do without the help and time that these guys spend.” said society director Thomas Kerr.

Although the fundraiser had to compete for the ladies attention with “Body Heat” a group of male strippers who perform at the Back Alley for ladies night, each firefighter walked around and were able to sell a substantial amount of tickets for an event that they feel has a great cause.

“As a firefighter you get to see people in the initial stage of their burns and you know how long and hard the road to recovery is, so anything we can do to make it easier for burn victims is totally worth coming out and canvassing the community.” said Casey Haddock, a Calgary firefighter.

“It’s going to a great cause and to some deserving people.” Looking around the Back Alley with Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” glaring in the background the volunteer firefighters worked hard talking to guests trying to sell the red raffle tickets that symbolize the money that will go to the Foothills Medical Center, Burn Unit. With red tickets in almost every woman’s hands, the ladies waited for their chance to win a date with one of the featured firefighters.

“I haven’t been out in 20 years,” exclaims Linda Hagman a 50-year-old grandma. “ My daughter dragged me out here. Its all in the name of charity that’s why I’m here, to support the firefighters.” Hagman said while folding her red tickets into her palm.

As the night continued the city’s firefighters gathered on stage and waited to be chosen to go on a date. Each firefighter standing on stage was slightly red from blushing in the bright lights but they were all grinning cheek-to-cheek, happy to be there.

When the winning ticket numbers were called you could hear screams of joy and excitement. The lucky winners were: Melissa Volk with Devin Uhrynchuk, Shaunna Brimacombe with Brad Lawrence, Stephanie Wamsteeker with Ryan Poirrer and Karen Queiroga with Neil Brown.

“I kept saying please, please, please, please call my number” exclaims Queirago, who won the date for her daughter’s upcoming 18th birthday.

When asked how it felt being up on stage during the selection process firefighter Brown said, “ Oh man, this is why I’m not a stripper.”

Kerr who was featured in the 2008 Hotstuff Calendar and also conducts annual tours of the burn unit to the calendars firefighters was more than happy with the outcome of the night.

“After that you can’t stop. Its amazing to see where it all goes,” says Kerr. “It’s going to a great cause and to some deserving people.”

The event raised $500, which all the proceeds will go to Foothills Burn Unit.

Posing for calenders and putting out fires are just two of the many talents our Hotstuff Calendar guys showcase from time to time. All of the guys are multi-talented, multi-taskers and to prove it, we sent a few of them over to CityTV to showcase some of thier cooking skills.

View the guys on CityTV.

Watch Thomas Kerr of the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, and Hotstuff Calendar Guys Casey Haddock and Neil Brown, on CTV Live as they talk about the Hotstuff Calendar and the great cause it supports.

Ready to support the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society? Purchase the 2012 Hotstuff Calendar for just $19.05 or make a donation today. Thank you for your support.

The Hotstuff Calendar Guys will be struttin’ their stuff along with the Chickwagon Foundation for Women at The Calgary Italian Club on Thursday, November 3, 2011.

We’ve got some great events on the horizon and the Struttin’ Our Stuff event is definitely one of them!

We’ve partnered with the Chickwagon Foundation for Women to bring you a night of modelling by the Chickwagon Chicks and Chickmates, wine tasting by Metrovino, a live auction (always fun), a Rainbow Draw, free prizes, and yes, the Hotstuff Calendar Guys.

The Details

• Tickets: $60.00
• Date: Thursday, November 3, 2011
• Time: Doors open at 5:30pm (cash bar, no ATM onsite); Program and fashion show at 7:15pm
• Location: The Calgary Italian Club (416 – 1st Avenue NE).

To order tickets please contact Chris Shain at 403.890.7749, or email Chris at moc.liamgnull@niahspc. Tickets can also be ordered online at www.chickwagon.com.

Supporting epilepsy is one of our favourite things to do, and since November is Epilepsy Education Month, what better way to show support then to get the Hotstuff Calendar Guys involved in the annual Bare Naked Noggins head shave.

On November 17, 2011 the Bare Naked Noggins will once again “raze” awareness and funds in support of the Epilepsy Association of Calgary, and the Hotstuff Calendar Guys will be there.

Going topless will make even more difference in 2011. For every “noggin” registered in this year’s head shave, Epilepsy Calgary will be donating $100 to the United Way of Calgary and Area!

The Bare Naked Noggins, sponsors, and guests will be treated to a delicious celebration lunch immediately after the head-shave, thanks to Brox Home Food and Wood Smoked BBQ. We’ll have fabulous prizes for the highest pledge and the most pledges raised. Our brave noggins will receive special gifts in recognition of their willingness to bare it all for epilepsy. You never know who might turn up to help “raze” a noggin or two!

We’ll be joining “stand-up Chameleon” Clark Robertson (a.k.a Don Cherry impersonator), the Calgary pageant winners from the Patti Falconer International Model and Talent Agency, and of course, the incredible folks from the Epilepsy Association of Calgary.

The Details

• Date: Thursday, November 17, 2011
• Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• Location: Bankers Hall, Main Retail Atrium

Burn management has also made marked improvements. Two decades ago, a healthy young person with burns to 70% percent of his body had only a 20 percent chance of survival.

Today, those odds have jumped to 50 percent. In addition, the patient’s hospitalization has decreased from six months to 90 days.

Dr. Lindsay explains, “Burn mortality has been significantly reduced by our management of the burn wound itself. We more accurately replenish the massive fluid loss and use topical anti-bacterial substances to control infection. We also aggressively excise the wound earlier, replacing it with a dressing or skin graft.”