Honouring Pete Reed and Frontline Medical Workers in Ukraine
- Jacinta Cassibo
- Apr 28
- 1 min read
As I make my way home from Ukraine, I want to take a moment to recognize a deeply personal and painful chapter of this war — one that has touched those of us who served on the front lines as humanitarian medics.
In February 2023, 33-year-old Pete Reed was killed while providing medical aid in Bakhmut, Ukraine. Pete was not only a frontline medic but a courageous leader and a true humanitarian, working with Global Response Medicine and FLM (Frontline Medical) — the same organization I was part of during my time in Ukraine.
You can read more about Pete’s life and sacrifice here:
Pete’s death came just three months after I left Ukraine in 2023. Before I departed, I was manning the very ambulance that was later destroyed in a targeted attack. It's a chilling reminder of how dangerous the work is — and how quickly circumstances can change.
CNN also reported on the ongoing targeting of medical aid workers during the conflict:
These stories are not just headlines to those of us who served — they are about friends, colleagues, and the mission to protect lives under unimaginable conditions.
As I return home, I carry with me the memories of those we lost and the determination to keep their spirit alive. Their sacrifice deserves to be remembered, and their stories deserve to be told.
Thank you for taking a moment to honour Pete and all humanitarian workers who risk everything to make a difference.
—Will Rogers
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