About Us

The Biaggio Signorelli Foundation was created after Biaggio Signorelli, founder of the Doltone House Group. He was an extraordinary man and an Italian migrant of the mid 1950s who accomplished so much in a foreign land. His world changed when he was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in October 2007, and died eight months later.

Following his diagnosis, procedural surgery was conducted followed by chemotherapy. The aim was to increase his life expectancy, this was never going to cure him, as there is no cure for this disease. While being treated for the disease, Biaggio found comfort in the team at Sydney Cancer Centre and became acquainted with Keith Cox, nurse practitioner in the oncology chemotherapy unit at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, along with Associate Professor Michael Boyer, Director of the Sydney Cancer Centre.

These people had a huge impact on Biaggio’s physical and mental wellbeing. Then came his final journey to the palliative care unit at Calvary Hospital – the final two weeks of his life.

Biaggio had access to a private nurse, Michael Lakic who witnessed Biaggio’s physical and mental exhaustion. Biaggio’s son Paul, did not leave his side and along with Michael, they nursed Biaggio to his final hours. A very strong bond between father and son indeed. His dying wish was to help save others. The beginning of his family’s determination to fulfill Biaggio’s wish with the commencement of a foundation in honour of his name devoted to finding early detection, treatment, care and ultimately a cure for Mesothelioma. Which saw the formation of the Biaggio Signorelli Foundation.