Last Friday evening at the Charleston Gaillard Center, more than 450 guests joined the American Lung Association for its annual “Lowcountry Dancing with Stars” Oxygen Ball. The “License to Breathe” themed affair, which featured five local celebrity dancers, raised $335,000 to fund the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung disease through local programs, advocacy efforts, and groundbreaking research.
Trudy Billings, a former information technology executive, was named Charleston Oxygen Ball Celebrity Dancer Champion, raising more than $80,000 through community support and donations. She and her partner, Andrey Gergel, owner of International Ballroom Dance Studios, performed the paso doble and cha-cha.
Billings’ original professional dance partner, Blake Beardsley, experienced an injury the evening before the Oxygen Ball and could not perform. Gergel immediately stepped in, watching video that night to learn the routine Billings and Beardsley had developed through months of practice. On the day of the event, Billings and Gergel spent hours practicing together. Their performance was successful.
The celebrity dancer cast also included Jenny Costa Honeycutt of Costa Honeycutt LLC and vice chair of Charleston County Council; Dean Rommes of SNAP Integrations; Tessa Spencer from ABC News 4; and Gil Tisdale from S. Bogan Designs.
Local chef Brett McKee was honored by the Lung Association as 2024 Volunteer of the Year. During the live auction, Chef McKee announced that his charity dinner donation would be his last ever. He has been involved with the Lung Association since 2011 when he performed at the Oxygen Ball as a celebrity dancer. Over the years he has contributed his culinary talents to Lowcountry nonprofits raising millions of dollars. McKee’s charity dinner was the highest-selling auction item of the night.
“There are so many reasons why the Oxygen Ball has become a beloved Charleston institution: joyful atmosphere, luxe creative themes and of course energy and dedication of our celebrity performers—all brought together for an incredible cause,” said Kat Varn, Oxygen Ball event chair. “Thank you to our dancers committee guests and sponsors who have helped us raise $335000 to support lung health in our Lowcountry community.”
Funds raised at this event support lifesaving research local programs and advocacy for 650000 South Carolinians living with lung disease including lung cancer chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
For more information or to make a donation please visit CharlestonOxygenBall.org.
Thank you to all sponsors including Signature Sponsors: Bihun Family Foundation Germain Dermatology The InterTech Group Vertical Bridge Charitable Network as well as other donors volunteers who are instrumental in furthering Lung Association’s mission.
