Esteemed Dermatologist Takes to the Dance Floor for the Oxygen Ball

The “Lowcountry Dancing with Stars” Oxygen Ball will return to the Gaillard Center on April 14. This fabulous “Vegas, Baby!” themed affair will include live dance performances by local celebrities, dinner, live and silent auctions, and special guest performances. Funds raised support the mission of the American Lung Association, providing lung health education, advocacy, and groundbreaking research.

Local celebrities have been working diligently with International Ballroom Dance Studios to prepare a variety of ballroom dances. Celebrity dancers will include:

• Bob Crutchfield, Managing Director, Hotspot Ventures, LLC
• Dr. Marguerite Germain, Germain Dermatology
• Leonardo Reeder, Retired Army Major, Humanitarian
• Katy Solt, News Anchor, ABC News 4, WCIV
• Shana Swain, Realtor, Carolina One Real Estate

The Lung Association staff sat down with Dr. Marguerite Germain of Germain Dermatology to learn more about her participation in the Oxygen Ball and why it was so important to her to become involved.

Q: What is driving you to participate in the Charleston Oxygen Ball?

A: “I am truly thrilled to participate in the Oxygen Ball because the mission of the American Lung Association has totally captured my heart! Our South Carolina state motto is ‘Dum Spiro Spero’ which translates to ‘while I breathe, I hope.’ It gives me chills just talking about it. What a beautiful message of inspiration for each of us and for the Oxygen Ball!”

Q: Do you have a connection to the mission of the American Lung Association? Has anyone in your life been impacted by lung disease?

A: “As a physician and an active member of our community, I have known hundreds of friends, family and colleagues who have been impacted by lung disease and many, tragically who have died, included my father.

Thanks to research, educational outreach and public awareness campaigns coordinated by the American Lung Association, we are making tremendous strides. However, there is so much more to be done to fund lung health research and advance treatment options for lung diseases like lung cancer, COPD, asthma and COVID-19.”

Q: What are you most excited about related to your participation in the Oxygen Ball?

A: “First, I am dancing in memory of my beautiful, beloved Mom, Mimzi. And there are just so many exciting things for me - being among my friends, the glamour and glitz, the competitive dancing, but most of all, supporting the American Lung Association and being of service to our community. And looking to the future, my three-year-old adorable daughters, Giuliana and Francesca, can’t wait to jump, skip, hop and dance their way into all hearts at future Oxygen Balls!”

Q: What kind of dance are you and your partner working on? Do you find the choreography difficult?

A: “Scott Tucker, with International Ballroom Dance Studios, and I are going to perform a smooth dance piece to ‘Cheek To Cheek’ by Andrea Bocelli and his wife, Veronica Berti. I have found the choreography to be extremely difficult, at times hard to remember, but I am really trying. It’s like learning a whole new language. Fingers and toes crossed that I can do it!”

Q: Shifting gears a little, what is the Lung Association doing in the community that you think is impactful?

A: “I’ve learned about all the progressive and highly effective initiatives that the Lung Association provides to our community members of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds including our schools and the medical community. Those initiatives include helping to end the youth vaping epidemic, offering smoking cessation programs to adults and teens and working to promote healthy air.”

Q: Why should someone attend the Charleston Oxygen Ball? And vote for you?

A: “People should attend the Oxygen Ball because it’s going to be fabulously fun and it’s for an extremely important and compelling cause. It promises to be THE event of the year and will help our entire community and future generations! You should vote for me because I am taking this very seriously and working very hard. I really believe in the cause; I am passionate, and I want to succeed!

Q: I understand your time in Italy and Italian studies inspired you to pursue dermatology. Looking back on your naval career, is there something you learned or that inspired you that has steered your path related to serving your community?

A: I have always been a community servant. I give 1000% to a cause I believe in. We must never give up! It is my duty to give a big word called HOPE to those affected by lung disease. I care deeply about my little family, my patients, staff and my entire community. We must work/play/pray/laugh and dance together to help further the mission of the American Lung Association. Let’s do this!”

“When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters. In South Carolina, more than 693,000 people live with lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma” said Rebecca Balitsaris, senior development director for the American Lung Association in South Carolina. “This year's ‘Vegas, Baby!’ themed Oxygen Ball features local celebrities in an exquisitely entertaining evening that raises funds to support lung health programs, life-saving lung cancer research, and advocacy efforts for clean air in South Carolina communities. With support from our celebrity dancers, event sponsors, donors and attendees, we’re defending the rights of our community to breathe clean air and serving individuals with lung disease.”

For more information about the Lung Association’s “Lowcountry Dancing with Stars” Oxygen Ball on April 14 at the Gaillard Center and to vote for your favorite celebrity, visit CharlestonOxygenBall.org.

The Lung Association gratefully recognizes Germain Dermatology, Vertical Bridge and The InterTech Group Foundation as its signature sponsors as well as the many other sponsors, donors, and volunteers that are instrumental in furthering the organization’s mission.

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

American Lung Association • 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150 • Chicago, IL 60601

1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North • Washington, D.C. 20004

1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org