The nursing graduate making dreams come true

Deciding to get into the nursing profession was easy for graduate Louise Mahoney OAM, who has always felt an affinity with helping people to achieve their best health outcomes.

Louise credits her nursing degree with teaching her the skill of flexibility.

“Nurses learn to pivot at a moment’s notice because things can change very quickly in hospital settings. It has enabled me to embrace change, uncertainty and possibility," says Louise.

Louise’s nursing career took her to both Fiji and Saudi Arabia, as well as Australia where she worked as an Intensive Care Nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, an inner-city Community Health Nurse, and as an Emergency Nurse at Hornsby Hospital.

Louise’s nursing skills became of immense importance as she faced one of the toughest periods of her life.

“My sister Annie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer when she was four months pregnant with her much-wanted only child," says Louise.

She underwent her first round of treatment shortly after my nephew’s birth, and turned to living as well as she could, for as long as she could.

Annie served as an inspiration to Louise throughout her treatment.

“Annie embraced the idea of pursing her dreams," explains Louise.

"She wanted other patients who were trapped in a regime of tests, treatments, anxiety, financial constraints, and bad news, to find their way back to joy again.

"So, in 2007, Annie founded Dreams2Live4 and in 2008 together we rolled it out as an in-house program at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney.”

Annie’s dream was to perform as a backing singer with Australian pop group Human Nature, a dream she achieved in 2006 in front of 3,000 screaming fans.

“Annie was not only my sister, but my best friend and confidante – I cared for her throughout her illness, up to when she passed away in 2009," say Louise.

Louise credits Annie, and the way she faced her illness with altruism, for shaping her life and the lives of others in a positive way.

“Dreams are proven to have a positive impact on a patient’s mental health and emotional wellbeing," explains Louise.

"Annie's dying wish was that I continue her work, which I have wholeheartedly done.”

In September 2015, Dreams2Live4 became a national charity. Since then, the charity has received over 4,000 applications from adults living with metastatic cancer.

Dreams2Live4 has been able to make a tangible impact on the mental health of those they engage with, as well as their friends, family, and medical teams.

“Dreams come in all shapes and sizes,” says Louise.

"These can range from helicopter and hot air balloons rides to holidays, family reunions, and new family additions – of the furry variety.

“We’ve organised parties and celebrations, weddings and vow renewals, we’ve had Dreamers meet everyone, from meerkats to Matildas.

"We’ve had a Dreamer’s poetry set to music and performed by a country music star and another’s musical composition performed on-stage by a concert pianist."

Dreams may also be of the more practical variety including air-conditioners, recliner chairs, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, home appliances and even dental treatment.

“The process of thinking about what is important to the patient is as important as the realisation of dream – it changes the conversation from cancer to hope - and it creates lasting memories along the way,” muses Louise.

In 2019 Louise was awarded the AMP Tomorrow Maker Award, and in 2022 she was recognised further, in receiving an Order of Australia.

Despite these accolades, Louise is humble.

“My greatest joy comes from learning about the impact that Dreams2Live4 has on our Dreamers,” says Louise.

“Day in and day out I’m contacted by adults suffering the effects of cancer. The pain, anguish, anxiety, stress on these individuals as well as their loved ones and supporters is profound.

“Nursing has been the backbone of my career. It has taught me team work, time management, and how to get work done in a methodical, careful and caring manner.

"It has also taught me to use the tools that I’ve got. These skills are still important today within our charity setting as we receive no government funding to provide our unique service."

Through her work, Louise has seen firsthand the value of positivity and the impact of dreaming on these adults.

“I didn’t dream of being a CEO of a charity, but by embracing possibility and employing the flexible skills I learnt in my nursing career, I’m now living my best life – my dream role as a CEO and Chief Dream Maker," reflects Louise.