Schuyler, Cynthia, Aster Lee and Dan Lufkin.
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The
American Cancer Society (ACS) held their
13th annual “Mother of the Year” luncheon
honoring 2008 recipient Cynthia Lufkin on
February 26 at the Plaza in New York City. Muffie
Potter Aston, Wendy Carduner, Marianne Castle, Maria
Cuomo Cole, Somers Farkas, Dayle Haddon, Grade Hightower
DeNiro, Rachel Hovanian and Karen
LeFrak served as the benefit's co-chairs.
Dan Lufkin introduced his wife as “Mother of
the Century.” Stating Cynthia was more “How
are you doing?” than “Why me?” as
she battled the life threatening disease, he described
his wife as the strong willed humanitarian the American
Cancer Society recognized her for. Cynthia thanked
those that counseled her, including Evelyn
Lauder and Dr. Alexandra Heerdt who
treated her at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Recalling
the moment Dr. Heerdt told her she needed to be strong
to the point where she proclaimed she was cancer-free,
the “Mother of the Year” was emotional
recalling these personal details that were shared with
Dan, and her daughter Schuyler, 11, as well as those
friends that supported her along the way.
New York writer Calvin Trillin addressed
the audience and spoke about his late wife Alice's
struggle with lung cancer which he chronicled in his
best-selling book, “About Alice.” Renee
Syler, who also underwent a mastectomy, served
as the day's host.
This year's “Mother of the Year” luncheon
raised over $2 million, attracting more attendees and
financial support then past years. A large portion
will benefit the American Cancer Society's Hope
Lodge, which provides lodging for out of town cancer
patients based on a financial need lottery. The
first Hope Lodge opened in New York at the end of last
year. Since 1995 the ACS has honored Libby Pataki,
Katie Couric, Paula Zahn, Kathie Lee Gifford, Cokie Roberts,
Vera Wang, Candice Bergen, Susan Bloomberg, Charlotte
Ford & Anne Ford, Dana Reeve, Carolina Herrera, and
Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York with the prestigious
honor.
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Diana Feldman, special events chairman, ACS.
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Rene Syler and Dan Lufkin.
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Margot MacNabb, Somers Farkas, Grace Hightower, CeCe Cord, Cynthia Lufkin.
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Matilda Cuomo and Don Distasio, CEO ACS.
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Allison Rockefeller, Mark Gilbertson.
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Calvin Trillin and Cynthia Lufkin.
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Gillian Miniter.
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Allison Rockefeller, Michelle Smith, Alexandra Lebenthal.
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Jamee Gregory and CeCe Cord.
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Laurence Leeds, Nicole Miller, Cynthia Lufkin.
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Debbie Bancroft and Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos.
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Michelle Gerber Klein and Roger Webster.
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Wendy Carduner, Mark Gilbertson and Julie Dannenberg.
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Anne Keating and Cynthia Lufkin.
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Elaine Sargent.
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| Photos:
Matt Carsella, Patrick McMullan |
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