‘I never expected to need the RFDS’

As a fly-in fly-out HR professional for well over a decade, Leia Piccoli had witnessed many mining colleagues require an RFDS retrieval in a medical emergency. She had never expected to need the service herself.

In late December, the 35-year-old was on her first swing in a new job at Fortescue’s Cloudbreak site in the Pilbara when she was suddenly overcome by frightening symptoms. She had an intensely painful headache, her face had drooped on one side, and she was dizzy and confused, struggling to recall her own mother’s name.

The emergency response team at Cloudbreak called upon the RFDS to fly Leia to Port Hedland for urgent medical attention. Tests at the hospital showed she had suffered a cardiac episode, and a scan revealed a damaged artery in her brain. She was then flown to Perth on another RFDS flight, where she was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital.

“I didn’t even know what a stroke was, but I was told I’d had one, and it had damaged both sides of my brain,” said Leia. “And with my heart unable to pump blood to my brain, it also caused a stress-induced heart attack.”

Leia describes it as the worst 24 hours of her life, but says it was the timeliness of her treatment which has meant she’s now made a full recovery.

“There were times I really thought I was going to die,” Ms Piccoli said. “But I was able to get the medication that I needed, which stopped me from suffering another stroke or a heart attack. My doctors say my recovery has been extremely good, and I attribute that to getting medical attention so quickly.”

One month later, with the support of Fortescue, Leia was able to make a gradual return to work. She is now getting back to doing things she loves, like Pilates and customising her Troopy vehicle for a dream lap around Australia. Fortescue also recently celebrated its second year of funding RFDS’s aeromedical helicopter service.

The RFDS transfers around 28 patients in Western Australia every day, and more than 10 patients every week from mine sites. The RFDS relies on the whole Western Australian community to keep providing our essential services.

Become a Flying Doctor Day Champion

This Flying Doctor Day, your organisation can help the RFDS meet its fundraising target by becoming a Champion.

Being a Champion and fundraising as a workplace team is one of the most impactful ways to get on board and support the WA community.

All donations received on or before 15 May will be DOUBLED by generous matched giving partners, which means for every dollar you raise, two dollars goes toward the RFDS.

As a Champion, your organisation will be set up with a fundraising page hosted on the Flying Doctor Day website, with a unique URL to share with your network who can donate directly to your page.

Please contact fundraise@rfdswa.com.au or visit flyingdoctorday.com.au for further information.