New York City - On Thursday, March 3, the New York chapter of the American Cancer Society honored Muffie Potter Aston and Dr. Freya Schnabel with their prestigious Mother of the Year Award. This year, the annual luncheon was in the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza. Present for the awards were Mrs. Aston's twin daughters, Ashleigh and Bracie, and Dr. Schnabel's daughters Yonah and Talya Leserowitz.

Dr. Freya Schnabel and Patti Hansen. (Ann Watt)

It may have been March outside, but the ballroom looked like a spring garden. The centerpieces were handbags made from living hydrangeas blossoms. And, the ballroom had a golden Plaza glow. As benefits a health conscious organization, the menu was perfect for noon: Carrot Ginger Soup, Orange Glazed Breast of chicken with glass noodles and stir-fried vegetables. Desert was a a Blood Orange Mousse. Unlike so many recent ballroom experiences, the food was delicious and the service efficient and unobtrusive.

The luncheon for 330 felt more like an intimate celebration among family than a major award ceremony in the Big Apple. As for the speeches, brief as they were, they paid homage to both women who are devoted mothers as well as an inspiration to their respective communities. The presentations were also candid and affectionate.

Diana Feldman, Chairman of the ACS Special Events, called the ceremony to order. She introduced the afternoon's emcee David Patrick Columbia, co-founder of New York Social Diary. She described him as "the first social networker. Everyone thinks that know what DPC stands for. They don't. It stands for dashing, prolific, captivating."

Columbia took the podium, welcomed by an enthusiastic reception. He encouraged guests to eat during the ceremony. In his preface to Dr. Schnabel, he said, "Mothers are the most powerful force in our lives, and Dr. Schnabel, Director of Breast Surgery and Professor of Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, keeps mothers on the planet."

Patti Hansen, model, mother, wife of Keith Richards and a patient of Dr. Schnabel's, presented the highly regarded Doctor with the first award. In her remarks, Hansen said, "Ten years ago we (Dr. Schnabel) began this slow dance." With her celebrated care and attention, Hansen added, "She held my hand and I knew Dr. Schnabel had my jeans." Then with a smile Hansen added, "Freya loves classical music and she also loves my husband's music." She finished by saying, "I love her."

Tory Burch and Paula Zahn. (Ann Watt)

Dr. Schnabel made her way from her table to the podium to resounding applause. In her acceptance speech, she said, "The American Cancer Society is the epitome of the struggle against cancer in the United States." She then told a story about Hansen. "When she came to me and told me she wanted to go public with her battle, I told her it was not a good idea. To think about it. It would invade her life and the life of her family. Patti is a courageous and steadfast human being. She ignored me. She said she could use her story as a source of hope and encouragement for others."

Dr. Sherrell Aston, Muffie's husband and one the City's top cosmetic surgeons, and their twin daughters Ashleigh and Bracie made the next presentation. Each of the "Twinettes," as Mrs. Aston calls them, made a paper collage reward for their mother.

Before handing his wife the Mother of the Year Award, Dr. Aston reminisced about their meeting on a blind date in June 1991. "It was for a Barbra Streisand concert. After six weeks of dating, I thought it was time to move our relationship to another level. She said, 'Hold on just a minute.' Anyone who has sat in a meeting with her knows you better pay attention because she will tell you what's on her mind. Muffie told me "I want to have children one day, I need to be a mother to feel complete. You already have three sons.' We were married and after nine years and 12 attempts the girls were born."

Most people recognize Muffie Potter Aston as one of the most photographed socialites in New York. Behind the glamorous façade is a dedicated mother and a tireless soldier in the fight against cancer.

Muffie accepted the Award saying, "I have been fighting cancer since I was born." She acknowledged her parents Dr. John and Tanya Potter who were present. "My mother was the first Volunteer Chairman of the Cancer Society in Washington, DC. My father was Chief of Oncologic Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital, where he founded and was Director of the Lombardi Cancer Center. He is also the founder and Director of the United States Military Cancer Institute, based at Walter Reade Army Medical Center."

She finished her speech to wild applause and the luncheon was over. Until next year. From start to finish, the stunning event was two hours, which makes it possible during a busy day to stop and smell the roses and acknowledge those women who make a special effort to fight cancer.

Proceeds from the luncheon will help support American Cancer Society initiatives and services for cancer patients and their families, including Hope Lodge New York City, which provides free temporary lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers while undergoing treatments.

As the ACS say, "We SAVE LIVES and create more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back."

Raising more than $350,000 (and still counting) among the 330 people who filled the Plaza Ballroom, were: Grace Hightower DeNiro, Somers Farkas, Diana Feldman, Alexandra Lebenthal, Cynthia Lufkin, Georgette Mosbacher, Allison Stern, Gigi Benson, Tory Burch, Brenda Johnson, Martha Webster, Kate Allen, Gayle Perkins Atkins, Debbie Bancroft, CeCe Black, Cricket Burns, Marysol Castro, Wendy Carduner, Maria Cuomo Cole, Cece Cord, Judy Gordon Cox, Jennifer Creel, Hilary Dick, Diandra Douglas, Susan Fales-Hill, Charlotte Ford, Susan Gutfreund, Sharon Handler, Caroline Hirsch, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Kalliope Karella, Marianna Kaufman, Eleanora Kennedy, Richard Lambertson, Margo Langenberg, Dalia and Larry Leeds, Ursula Lowerre, Ashley McDermott, Anne Hearst McInerney, Constance Milstein, Gillian Miniter, Gigi Mortimer, Courtney Moss, Margo MacNabb Nederlander, Claudia Overstrom, Gianna Palminteri, Betsy Pitts, Dee Dee Ricks, Kimberly Rockefeller, Hilary Geary Ross, Jean Shafiroff, Peggy Siegal, Elizabeth Stribling, Felicia Taylor, Topsy Taylor, Barbara Tober, John Truex, Chris Wragge, Paula Zahn, Bettina Zilkha, Jennifer Oken, Peter Davis, Kate Pickett, and many more.