Volunteer Profile – Frankie
Name: Frankie
Occupation: Volunteer Lead Paramedic
What does Palliative Care mean to you?
Palliative care is about honouring life. It’s giving patients and their families, the chance to treasure every moment. It means celebrating the individual and caring for the whole person: physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, wherever the journey leads. It’s walking that path together, offering choices and shaping care around what matters most.
Why did you choose to volunteer with Ambulance Wish Queensland?
In 2017, I saw an image that changed me: two Hervey Bay paramedics taking a terminally ill patient to the beach for one last view of the ocean. Their compassion was unforgettable. Years later, as an RN student, I saw the Ambulance Wish Queensland vehicle and remembered that moment. The words “volunteer or donate” were irresistible. I signed up and haven’t looked back.
How do you see Ambulance Wish Queensland in the community?
I’d love for more people to know about the incredible work Ambulance Wish Queensland does. Earlier this year I sold 50:50 raffle tickets at Suncorp Stadium during a Broncos vs. Eels game. Did I win bragging rights for the most tickets sold? No! I spent too much time-sharing Ambulance Wish Qld’s amazing mission!
How do you see Ambulance Wish Queensland impacting Wish Recipients and their friends and family?
The volunteers give more than time, they give Wish Recipients and their families priceless memories. Every Wish takes loved ones out of a clinical environment and into a setting filled with warmth and meaning. It’s a chance to see the person beyond the diagnosis and create moments that last forever. And the professional photos are the perfect keepsake.
Do you have any key memories of a Wish?
The magic is always in the details. There’s a moment in every Wish that moves me – a hug from a loved one, a story about the legacy someone will leave, or hearing about friendships that span decades and/or distances. My favourite Wish? An intimate family gathering with an Executive Chef. It was so special that we felt like part of the family. It’s a privilege to play even a small part in making all these moments possible.
