One white sock can draw attention and even raise some questions, and that is exactly what Scenic Mountain Medical Center (SMMC) staff members were going for, when they joined the White Sock Campaign. For three days, local businesses and organizations received visits from SMMC representatives wearing one white sock. 

“This is a national initiative to help raise awareness for peripheral artery disease (PAD). This is one of those areas of healthcare that is largely under-recognized, and amputation rates associated with the disease remain unnecessarily high,” Tiffany Crawford, SMMC Wound Healing Center director, said. “That is why, we are proud to sport one white sock, turn some heads and in turn, provide some education in an effort to equip our community in being proactive.”

Peripheral Artery Disease – a narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels in the legs - affects one in eight Americans over the age of 60. There are an estimated 12 million people in the United States, living with PAD. While this disease does not display many outward symptoms, not receiving treatment can result in a physical effect. Without proper blood flow, wounds are unable to heal, infections set in at a faster rate and the risk of amputation increases. 

“We (SMMC staff and administration) were proud to stand in unison with the clinical community, the residents of Big Spring and other local businesses in an effort to raise awareness. If wearing a single white sock and turning some heads is what it takes in order for us to raise awareness, we are proud to wear the white sock in honor of our amputees,” Crawford said. “This is just one way we can hopefully make an impact in the lives of people living with or impacted by PAD.”

In addition to the education aspect, recruitment of quality providers, addition of specialty services, and the delivery of quality care are top of mind, when it comes to the efforts being put forth at SMMC. The Wound Healing Center, opened in April 2017, provides advanced modality treatments including the use of two hyperbaric oxygen chambers. In order to compliment this service line, peripheral services have also been added.

“Being able to take part in the White Sock Campaign was a fun way to get the staff and the community involved and we want to extend our sincere appreciation to all the businesses who allowed us to come in, and provide education, and especially to those who joined us and sported the white sock for a day,” Amanda Duforat, SMMC Marketing Manager, said. “When we join efforts we are able to have an ever further reach, and that is why I am so thankful for the wonderful partnerships we have been able to form throughout the community.” 

For more information about PAD and treatment options, call the Wound Healing Center at 432-268-5370.

About the White Sock Campaign
The White Sock Campaign was created by the Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation in 2013. In partnership with Medtronic, the White Sock Campaign aims to raise awareness of diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and the prevention of amputation. It is an ongoing interactive campaign and anyone can participate. As part of the initiative, the Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation has developed a pin with a sock on just one end of the ribbon. This is to promote solidarity with amputees, and to signify the many wound care patients that can wear only one shoe, while the foot may be wrapped with a dressing. In many cases, a sock is the only outer garment that will fit over the bulky dressings. For September’s PAD Awareness Month, people are encouraged to take a photo or video of themselves wearing one white sock, share it on their social media channels with the hashtag #DocsInSocks, and tag and challenge others to join the cause. For more, visit: www.DocsInSocks.org.

About the Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation (SALSAL)
The Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation was incorporated as a new non-profit organization in the state of Florida during May of 2015. The organization is poised and excited to make an impact on reducing the number of amputations. The organization will shape and build SALSAL to achieve its goals and to make Save A Leg, Save A Life into a universally recognized phrase and concept, one that resonates and “connects the dots” between non-healing wounds, peripheral arterial disease and amputations, as well as catastrophic events such as heart attack and stroke. For more, visit: www.DocsInSocks.org.