The Hospice Palliative Care Ontario Outstanding Philanthropist Award recognizes individuals, families, foundations, and corporations exemplifying vision, outstanding generosity, and dedication toward fostering the true spirit of hospice palliative care. Philanthropists empower and bring community vision to life. They are our north star. Their encouragement and validation of how we care for people in our communities inspire us and inspire others to do the same.
2025 Award
Rick Firth, CEO, HPCO, Paul Hazzard, Board Member, HPCO, Doug and June Barber
The recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Philanthropist Award are Doug and June Barber.
Doug and June Barber have been described as “the heart of Margaret’s Place Hospice.” Beyond their numerous generous financial donations, they are also active community champions of the hospice and of hospice care. They were hands-on partners as the vision of Margaret’s Place came to life. Their deep compassion and their commitment to making a difference in their community is inspiring. We thank them for their firm resolution to ensuring access to dignified, high-quality, end of life care for all.
The Award was presented at our Awards Gala on June 9, 2025, which occurred during our Annual Conference.
2024 Award
Honourable Michael Tibollo, Father Doctor Matthew Durham from Journey Home Hospice and Rick Firth, President and CEO, HPCO
The recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Philanthropist Award are Henry and Lina Iacobelli and the Iacobelli Family.
Since 2018, Henry & Lina Iacobelli and their Family have donated over $1,250,000 to Journey Home Hospice in Toronto. They are long-time champions of compassionate palliative care for people who are homeless and vulnerably housed, and they actively encourage their friends, business partners, and colleagues to support this cause as well. Through charitable giving to other hospices throughout Ontario, they have contributed more than $3 million to the sector.
The Iacobelli family was not able to be present to accept the award at the 2024 Awards Gala, but Father Doctor Matthew Durham from Journey Home Hospice accepted the award on their behalf. The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and friend of the Iacobelli Family, was also in attendance.
The award was presented at our Awards Gala on June 10, 2024, which occurred during our Annual Conference. The 2024 conference theme was Palliative Care Everywhere. Building on the 2023 conference theme of Now is the Time, Palliative Care Everywhere underscores the importance of a palliative approach to care being available in all settings where people die. Despite the progress we have made, many people do not have equitable access to quality, integrated, patient-centred, sustainable hospice palliative care services. Whether at home, in hospice, in long-term care, in hospital, group homes, prisons, shelters, or unhoused, palliative care must be available in all settings and for all people.
