City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry group has awarded Apple’s senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, with its highest honor, the 2014 Spirit of Life Award. According to the group, the award recognizes an individual whose work has fundamentally impacted the music, film and entertainment industries.

Cue is the first recipient from the technology industry. The award will be presented during an event in Los Angeles on Oct. 23, the group said.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be recognizing Eddy Cue with City of Hope’s highest honor,” said Jason Morey, president of City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group. “City of Hope and Apple are both renowned for their passionate embrace of innovation and change. Eddy embodies that same passion. He has played a hugely important role for Apple as it has revolutionized the way consumers enjoy everything from music to films to TV to books to apps. He is an extraordinarily worthy honoree.”

City of Hope is one of the leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases, with a mission to shorten the time from new research idea to new medical treatment.

“I’m truly honored to be this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Life Award. The research that City of Hope does impacts the lives of millions and their work personally means a lot to me,” said Eddy Cue. “City of Hope uses the latest research and technology to fight cancer and other catastrophic diseases. I hope that everyone who can, gives what they can, to City of Hope so they can continue to fight the battle against cancer.”

Past recipients of the award include Quincy Jones, Sony Music’s Clive Davis, former Warner music Group Chairman and CEO Edgar Bronfman, and Azoff MSG Entertainment Chairman and CEO Irving Azoff. among others.

Cue has long been Apple’s goto person to launch and fix many of Apple’s biggest software and services products. As a fellow music lover, I’ve enjoyed many conversations with Eddy over the years, talking about bands and music in general. He’s a kind man, but he can also get things done when the pressure is on—something he’s proven over and over again.