Pictured left to right: Gary Reedy, CEO, American Cancer Society, Inc.; Theresa Lever, patient navigator, Cancer Center at the Central Vermont Medical Center at the University of Vermont Health Network; Scarlott K. Mueller, MPH, RN, chair, Board of Directors, American Cancer Society, Inc.; and Susan D. Henry, LCSW, chair, Lane Adams Quality of Life Award Workgroup.
WILLISTON, Vermont – January 15, 2016 – The American Cancer Society recognized Theresa Lever with the American Cancer Society Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award, a prestigious national honor for cancer care and commitment.
The Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award recognizes individuals who consistently exhibit excellence and compassion in providing care to cancer patients, going beyond their duties to make a difference in the life of cancer patients and their families. This award also represents the concept of the “warm hand of service,” which is an integral part of the Society’s commitment to excellence in cancer care and specifically emphasized 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 award was presented during a ceremony in Atlanta on January 13, 2016. Lever was one of ten recipients to receive the award this year.
“These extraordinary awardees deserve to be recognized for their efforts to improve the quality of care for cancer patients and their families,” said Susan D. Henry, LCSW, chair, Lane Adams Quality of Life Award Workgroup. “These individuals represent personal and professional excellence and they provide critical leadership in the American Cancer Society’s mission to serve those who are touched by cancer.”
Lever is a patient navigator for the Cancer Center at the Central Vermont Medical Center at the University of Vermont Health Network in Berlin, VT. Lever has been serving cancer patients at the National Life Cancer Treatment in Central Vermont for the last six years. She has been instrumental in serving the needs of patients and developing cancer programs and services such as transportation to hospital appointments through Road To Recovery. Lever brings together community partners to help provide the best services to cancer survivors in Central Vermont. She is also a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and serves on the Executive Leadership Team for the Relay For Life event in Central Vermont.
The Society has recognized cancer caregivers through the Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award since 1988.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2.5 million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 22 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress; 14.5 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. We’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.