Today (Wednesday, 8 July) marks International Paramedics Day – a global event dedicated to honouring the extraordinary, fast-paced, and life-saving work of paramedics and first responders worldwide.

International Paramedics Day reminds us that behind every emergency response is a person who chooses, every day, to answer someone else’s worst moment with skill, courage and compassion.

To be a paramedic means being a pillar of strength in someone’s darkest hour.

“Every life saved, every family reunited, and every future restored gives meaning to the sacrifices emergency medical services make, and we thank every paramedic for their commitment to serving others,” says Netcare 911 managing director Craig Grindell.

Shaydeen O’Sullivan has one simple message for the Netcare 911 team who helped save her daughter, Kiera, after a devastating accident last October:

“Thank you. When Kiera was critically injured in a freak accident in Ballito, your professionalism, skill and compassion made all the difference.

“Today, seven months later, we are delighted to share that Kiera is doing incredibly well. She is back at school, thriving, and has returned to being the happy, determined little girl we all know and love.

“Most importantly, she is back to being ‘Cowgirl Kiera’ and has returned to her horse riding lessons – something she absolutely loves.

“Our family will never forget the care and support we received from Netcare 911 paramedics when we needed it most.”

Kiera’s story is one of 209 469 calls for help Netcare 911 responded to over the past year – more than 500 every day.

Behind every one of those calls are paramedics who answer without hesitation, regardless of the hour or the personal sacrifices involved.