Bradenton Burn Victim Volunteers With Blake Medical Center Team That Treated, Saved Him

BRADENTON, FL — A third-degree burn victim whose life was saved by the medical team at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton is giving back by volunteering at the facility.

“I am so grateful to be here," Jim Entwistle said. "The Blake team saved my life, and thanks to all of the specialists and talented nurses and doctors that cared for me, they also saved my standard of living.”

Passionate about giving back since his recovery, he has recently completed peer support training through the Phoenix SOAR program to help other burn survivors, according to a news release from Blake. He has plans to serve as a burn peer support volunteer with the burn center at Blake.

Blake’s burn center is one of only six accredited burn units in the state. The center provides comprehensive burn care to even severe burn injuries, including wound care and reconstructive services for inpatients and outpatients.

Entwistle was severely burned in a fire at his Bradenton home on Oct. 27, 2020, Blake said. The 51-year-old was working in his garage while his wife and two daughters were in their attached home.

While cleaning a fishing boat he purchased, he was siphoning old gas from his boat into a bucket and turned on his shop vacuum to clean another area of the boat, which sparked a fire. He alerted his wife, and his family was able to leave the house safely, while he fought to keep the fire from overtaking his home.

Entwistle suffered third-degree burns to 44 percent of his body in the fire and was brought to Blake’s emergency room by EMS as a trauma alert. He was admitted to the facility’s Burn ICU and spent 32 days in the hospital, undergoing multiple treatments and surgeries, including skin allografting procedures, and laser, physical and occupational therapies, according to Blake.

“It was such a blessing to be able to get all of the different treatments I needed in one place, and so close to my home," Entwistle said. "Burn injuries are painful and difficult. An important part of my recovery was the emotional support of my family and friends. Being able to receive all of the care I needed right here in my community where my family was able to visit every day made a huge difference for them and me.”