Restoring dignity to the heroes who carried us through

One heart. One world.

During COVID-19, founder Rose Marie Lapada, RN, and a fellow nurse stood alone on a cardiology floor with 17 patients, full PPE, a flashlight in hand, checking on every soul.

"Whatever you have done to care for the sick, you did it for a higher calling."

COPNAFH was born from that night, a promise to honour the frontline heroes of SARS and COVID-19, and to preserve their legacy for generations to come. We honour not only nurses and doctors, but the electricians, the PSWs, every unsung worker who held the line.

Each year we gather for a dinner gala where heroes receive a personalized medal, a certificate of appreciation, and a night of the dignity they earned.

Why we gather

COPNAFH was created from gratitude.

After 46 years as a nurse, I have worked alongside some of the most compassionate people I have ever known, nurses comforting frightened patients, doctors delivering hard news with kindness, personal support workers giving dignity to those in need, and countless frontline workers who never asked to be recognized.

Our mission is to honour, celebrate, and preserve the legacy of the frontline heroes who gave so much of themselves caring for others in times of crisis, and to honour the families who stood beside them through every long shift and sacrifice.

Our vision is a world where service, compassion, and sacrifice are never forgotten. The heart in our logo is people of every culture, faith, and background, coming together to care for one another. As an immigrant who built a life in Canada, I have seen the strength that comes from community. We may speak different languages, but kindness, compassion, and service are universal, and that is the torch we hope to pass to the next generation.

"The medals, certificates, and roses we present are symbols of appreciation. The true mission is much larger, preserving history, honouring people, and ensuring that the courage and compassion of frontline heroes are remembered for generations to come."

One Heart. One World. Helping One Another. Together.
Rose Marie Lapada, RN, BSN · Founder & Chair

Rose Marie Lapada, RN, BSN

COPNAFH was founded by Rose Marie Lapada, a Registered Nurse who has cared for patients at Scarborough General Hospital for 46 years. She is a Heart & Stroke BLS and ACLS instructor and a two-time Outstanding Canadian Awardee (2001 and 2017).

She started COPNAFH in 2022 after a night during COVID-19 she could never forget, alone on a cardiology floor, checking on her patients by flashlight. In that quiet, exhausting moment, she found her calling: to honour the heroes the world too easily overlooks.

Her faith and her family are the heart of it all, her husband Narciso, who worked in maintenance at the hospital and was quarantined during SARS, and her daughter Helen, now five years free of cancer. COPNAFH is her thank you to every hero who showed up when the world was afraid.

"Whatever you have done to care for the sick, you did it for a higher calling."

Nominate a Frontline Hero

Know a hero who deserves to be honoured? Share their story below, we'll include it in our souvenir booklet and prepare their award. It takes about 5 minutes.

Hero Nomination & Story

Fields marked * are required.

Hero's full name *

Name as it should appear on the medal *

E.g. Rose Lapada, RN

Category * Select one… Doctor Nurse Frontline Worker (PSW, support, maintenance, etc.)

Years of service *

Workplace / hospital

Their story *

A few sentences is perfect. Write from the heart.

Photo of the hero

A clear headshot works best for the booklet. You can also email it to us later.

Your name (nominated by) *

Your email *

Your phone

I confirm this information is accurate and I have permission to share this hero's name and story for recognition at the COPNAFH gala and in the souvenir booklet.

Please complete the highlighted fields before submitting.

Submit Nomination

Thank you, your hero has been nominated.

We've received the nomination and will be in touch. Every story matters, and yours helps us honour someone who gave so much. One heart. One world.

Become a Sponsor

Your sponsorship covers medals, certificates, and the evening itself, so that honouring our heroes never falls on one person's shoulders. Souvenir booklet ads start at $100.00, and every sponsor of $500.00 or more receives a trophy of appreciation.

Email us to sponsor