"Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Surpasses Fundraising Record

Earlier this month, the “Lowcountry Dancing with Stars” Charleston Oxygen Ball returned to the Gaillard Center raising more than $330,000 for the American Lung Association in South Carolina. The fabulous “Vegas, Baby!” themed affair featured local celebrity dancers paired with professional dancers from International Ballroom Dance Studios including: Bob Crutchfield of Hotspot Ventures, Dr. Marguerite Germain of Germain Dermatology, Leonardo Reeder, a retired Army Major, Katy Solt of ABC News 4, and Shana Swain with Carolina One Real Estate. Special guests included Dr. Elizabeth Kline, Shelley Hochman, Erin Mansour, Caroline McQueeney, Laura Patrick, Anita Zucker, and the College of Charleston Cougarettes.

Dr. Marguerite Germain was named the 2023 Champion, raising a record-breaking $150,000 to further local lung health programs and resources and to fund lung cancer research. Germain shared, “I was honored to participate in the Oxygen Ball and help raise vital funding to support the mission of the American Lung Association. This experience opened my eyes to all that the Lung Association is doing, not only in my community, but throughout South Carolina and the nation. The mission has truly captured my heart, and I'm already preparing for my alumni dance for next year! They have a tagline, ‘When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.’ I can’t think of a truer statement or more vital cause that will directly impact the future for our community.”

In South Carolina, more than 693,000 people live with lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. “We are so grateful to all the celebrity dancers, guests, supporters and sponsors who came together to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by lung disease and lung cancer,” shares Kat Varn, 2023 Chair of the Oxygen Ball. “It’s so humbling to see our community come together and raise $330,000 to aid this life-saving cause.”

The Lung Association gratefully recognizes The InterTech Group Foundation, longtime Signature Sponsor of the event, Germain Dermatology, Vertical Bridge and the many other sponsors, donors, and volunteers of this year’s Oxygen Ball.

To stay connected locally to the American Lung Association in South Carolina, please follow us on Facebook at @LungCoastalSC or on Instagram at @lungassociation_sc.

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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 in South Carolina

1964 Ashley River Road, Ste. B #80338 | Charleston, SC 29416

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