“Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Oxygen Ball Returns to Gaillard Center on May 9

On Friday, May 9, the American Lung Association in South Carolina will host the “Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Oxygen Ball, at the Charleston Gaillard Center. This annual gala has a twist—and a lot of fancy footwork. That’s because five dedicated members of the community have signed on to be the entertainment, while raising awareness and critical funds for lung disease research, local programs and services that save lives.

This year’s Oxygen Ball theme is “Cowboy Couture,” so grab your wide-brimmed cowboy hats and metallic boots. In addition to live dance performances, the event will feature a gourmet dinner, auctions and entertainment.

“Investing in South Carolina’s lung health is more important than ever. More than 775,000 South Carolinians live with a lung disease, and our rate of lung cancer is higher than the national rate,” said Kat Varn, Oxygen Ball event chair. “Together, with the help of our celebrity dancers, event sponsors, donors and attendees, we’re able to fund lifesaving research into new treatments and cures and local programming to help people live healthier lives. Because when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”

Over the course of eight weeks, the five celebrity dancers will train with professionals from International Ballroom Dance Studios to prepare original ballroom dance routines and compete for the title of “Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Champion. In addition to bringing enthusiasm and star power to the stage, each celebrity performer is committed to raising funds to support the Lung Association’s mission.

The dancer lineup features:

• Dr. Mickey Barber – founder and CEO of Better Life Carolinas, specializing in anti-aging and wellness medicine. Dr. Barber got her start in lung health fifty years ago while working as a ward secretary in the only tuberculosis sanitarium in South Carolina. “I’m excited to be participating in the Oxygen Ball as the cause is dear to my heart.”
• Jamie Camilo – general manager at Rick Hendrick BMW and MINI of Charleston. Camilo is dedicated his performance to his late father, Rocky, who lost his battle with mesothelioma in 2017. “I’m a proud ‘Dance Dad,’ and my daughter Avalyn’s love for dance made it easy for me to accept the invitation to participate in the Oxygen Ball.”
• Rick Lowndes – of Lowndes Properties and past president of the Exchange Club of Charleston. Lowndes is dedicating his dance to his mother, Dr. Dyana Lowndes, who passed in 2021 of lung cancer. “I’m paying it forward on the dance floor to raise funds for anyone who cannot take a breath for granted.”
• Emily Gifford Lucey – attorney with Gallivan White Boyd, where she practices construction law. Gifford Lucey is dedicating her performance to her mother, Sheila, who passed in 2024 from a chronic autoimmune disease that affected her lungs. “Participating in the Oxygen Ball is deeply personal—I’m proud to dance in my mother’s memory, while raising awareness that every breath is precious.”
• Julie Reuther-Nestler – certified spinning, fitness and wellness coach. Reuther-Nestler is committed to raising awareness of lung health in the firefighter community and ensuring they receive support and care. “If firefighters can risk their health every day on the job, I can certainly dance in their honor.”

The “Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Oxygen Ball supports the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease through local programs, advocacy efforts and lifesaving research. For tickets or more information, visit CharlestonOxygenBall.org. For sponsorship opportunities, please email Rebecca.Balitsaris@lung.org.

The Lung Association gratefully recognizes Presenting Sponsor Better Life Carolinas, Signature Sponsors Rick Hendrick BMW of Charleston, Vertical Bridge and The Intertech Group, as well as the many other sponsors, donors and volunteers that are instrumental in furthering the organization’s mission.