The objective of this award is to recognize and reward individuals who innovatively and consistently provide excellent and compassionate skilled care, counsel, and/or service to persons with cancer and their families.

The concept of the “warm hand of service," an integral part of the Society’s commitment to excellence in cancer care, was given special emphasis by Lane W. Adams when he served as executive vice president of the American Cancer Society. Lane's definition of the warm hand of service was "to serve others and enrich the purpose of one's existence." The implementation of this concept poses special challenges in these times of fiscal constraint and technological advances that sometimes distance the caregiver from the patient. The award recognizes those who are providing care and support which impacts the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. This award seeks to recognize those individuals who go beyond the duties of their positions to make a difference in the daily struggles of cancer patients yet their contributions are seldom significantly acknowledged.