Volunteer Profile – Tiffany Baker-Schaefer 

Name: Tiffany Baker-Schaefer 

Occupation: Volunteer Lead Paramedic 

What does Palliative Care mean to you?

To me, Palliative Care is about helping to improve the quality of life for people with life-limiting illness. This includes not only managing their pain and other medical symptoms; but also the emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and their family during this time.  

Why did you choose to volunteer with Ambulance Wish Queensland?

I had wanted to volunteer with AWQ for quite a while, and am so happy that I’m finally doing it. I feel like it is a small thing that I can do to help provide these patients and their family with a positive memory, during what is traditionally an incredibly sad, and stressful time.  

How do you see Ambulance Wish Queensland in the community?

From my limited experience with the service so far, I believe that a lot of people may not necessarily be aware of the services that AWQ can provide, but are consistently curious and thankful when they see us out in public on a Wish. I think that as more wishes are fulfilled and as the service becomes more well-known, we will hopefully get further funding to be able to provide even more Wishes, and therefore happy memories, to people and their families.  

How do you see Ambulance Wish Queensland impacting Wish Recipient’s and their friends and family?

It never gets old seeing the Wish Recipient getting to interact with their friends and/or family in a setting that is meaningful to them. Getting them out of hospital and into the sun, near the water or even just having lunch somewhere with their family is such a great distraction from whatever else they may be experiencing at the time.  

Do you have any key memories of a Wish you have been on?

I’ve had an overwhelmingly positive experience at each Wish that I have attended so far. Seeing the Wish Recipient content, happy and relaxed is definitely the best part of my day.