Fulfilling Wishes, Celebrating Lives
How it all began
There are stories that move us and stories that inspire us to want to do more. A story featuring 7 powerful photographs of terminally ill patients living out their final wishes – a short 4 min read – was all it took to move a small group of people to discuss the formation of Ambulance Wish Foundation in Singapore – the charity organization behind the granting of wishes for terminally ill patients. Wishes that bring some cheer to a patient’s final moment, lasting moments that will forever be remembered and cherished by the loved ones.
The story on the amazing impact of the work of AWF is far too important to pass up. And so came the inspiration and determination to pursue the mission of AWF, that is to create positive end-of-life experience of terminally ill patients through the fulfilment of their final wishes.
In May 2019, Ambulance Wish Singapore was officially opened. Each and every member on board AWFS deeply believe in its mission and has experience in caring and working with dying patients. We therefore know how important it is to make these final moments meaningful through fulfilling wishes and celebrating lives.
Words on this meaningful work soon spread and we are ever thankful for the amazing support from our volunteers, donors and people from all walks of life wanting to join us in helping the terminally ill patients live out their final wishes.
HISTORY
Established in 2006, the Ambulance Wish Foundation (AWF) has its origins in the Netherlands where it has been fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill patients.
There are patients who die without closure due to an unattainable, but often times simple wish. One of the main reasons that these patients were not able to fulfil these wishes is because they are bed bound or require medical support which makes it difficult for them to be moved.
An event at work for Kees Veldboer, ambulance driver and founder of Ambulance Wish Foundation, in 2006 led to the establishment of Ambulance Wish Foundation.
An inter hospital delay for a patient by the name of Mario Steffanutto led to Kees Veldboer asking the patient if there was anywhere he would like to go while waiting. Mr Steffanutto, a former sailor, asked if he could be taken to the Vlaardingen canal so he could be by the water and say one last goodbye to Rotterdam harbour. Using an ambulance on his day off and with the help of a firm that does boat tour, Kees Veldboer granted Mr Steffanutto’s heartfelt wish, bringing him not just to the harbor but giving him the final opportunity to sail again, much to the delight of Mr Steffanutto.
It was an experience that touched not just the patient but Kees Veldboer too who went on to set up Ambulance Wish Foundation.
To date, Ambulance Wish Foundation has fulfilled 10,200 wishes with the support of some 270 volunteers. It has affiliate offices in Belgium, England, Ecuador, Germany, Israel, Switzerland and Sweden.
It is hoped that the meaningful work of Ambulance Wish Foundation will serve to benefit the Singapore community, particularly terminally ill patients where we hope to improve the quality and enjoyment of life for those in their final days.
Guiding Principles
The work of the Ambulance Wish Foundation Singapore is carried out based on the following Guiding Principles:
- Professionalism & Expertise –We adhere to professional ethics and provide professional care when carrying out wish assignment.
- Respect –We respect the rights and wishes of the patient and their next-of-kin.
- Timeliness & Accessibility –We strive to give timely attention to all wish request and extend the service to eligible patients.
- Good governance –We will exercise responsible stewardship of public resources in fulfilling the objectives of Ambulance Wish Foundation Singapore.
VISION
MISSION
Regardless of patient diagnosis and background, fulfilling their final wishes bring the patient and families some form of comfort and closure. That’s what we want to achieve – improve the quality and enjoyment of life for those in their final days.