“Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Oxygen Ball Returns to Gaillard Center on May 1

The American Lung Association in South Carolina will host its signature fundraising gala, Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars Oxygen Ball, at the Charleston Gaillard Center.

This year’s Untamed theme sets the tone for an evening that celebrates bold performances and meaningful impact. A lineup of five prominent Lowcountry leaders will take the stage after weeks of professional training, competing in a series of ballroom routines.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. on May 1 and will raise critical funds to support lung health programs across South Carolina as well as groundbreaking lung disease research. The evening includes live dance performances, a seated dinner, and silent and live auctions.

“The Oxygen Ball is more than a night out—it’s a call to action,” said Laura Patrick, Event Chair. “More than 710,000 South Carolinians are living with lung disease, and lung cancer rates in our state continue to exceed the national average. Every dollar raised through this event supports lifesaving research, advocacy efforts, and local programs like Backpacks for Bright Futures and Community Connections.”

Each celebrity dancer is paired with a professional from International Ballroom Dance Studios and competes for the title of Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars Champion. In addition to performing, each participant is actively fundraising in support of the Lung Association’s mission.

The 2026 celebrity dancer lineup features:

• Brandy Blynn — A television producer turned wellness professional, Brandy helps others cultivate confidence, balance and vitality. Drawn to the Untamed spirit of the Oxygen Ball, Brandy is dancing as an expression of presence and gratitude, honoring the breath that fuels every movement and every life.
   
• Jay Claypoole — A Charleston native and longtime real estate attorney with Nelson Mullins, Jay has built a respected career while remaining deeply engaged in local civic and philanthropic service. Jay is honoring his father-in-law, who battled pulmonary fibrosis before receiving a lifesaving double lung transplant in 2022.
   
• Scott Eisberg – He’s the longtime Sports Director at ABC News 4 Charleston, where he’s spent nearly two decades covering Lowcountry sports and telling the hometown stories he loves most. He’s stepping out from behind the anchor desk and onto the dance floor to support the community he proudly serves.
   
• Amber Mufale – As a partner at Buist Byars & Taylor, Amber focuses on complex commercial real estate transactions throughout North and South Carolina. A proud Lowcountry transplant and active community supporter, Amber is dancing in honor of her great-grandparents, Veronica and John, who both passed away from lung cancer.
   
• Tara Wood - An entrepreneur and community leader whose career spans marketing, real estate and nonprofit work, Tara is guided by an adventurous spirit and a deep commitment to service. Now a proud Charleston resident, Tara is dancing in loving memory of her parents — her mother, lost to COPD in 2021, and her father, who passed away from lung cancer in 2024.

Every performer has a unique connection to the mission, and each performance represents a personal commitment to improving lung health across South Carolina.

“Competing in the Charleston Oxygen Ball is a way for me to honor my parents’ memory while supporting others who don’t have the luxury of taking each breath for granted,” Wood said. “This experience has brought me back to one of my greatest passions, and I’m truly looking forward to dancing in their memory at this year’s Charleston Oxygen Ball.”

For sponsorships/tickets and event information, visit CharlestonOxygenBall.org. To request interviews please contact Janye Killelea via email at [email protected] or call (312) 940-7624.

“Nearly all of us know someone affected by lung disease,” Wood added. “By attending this exciting event or making a donation, you can make a meaningful difference while supporting a cause that impacts so many lives — and cheer on your favorite dancer at the same time.”

Thank you to our platinum sponsors: HendrickCars.com & Vertical Bridge Charitable Network.

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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, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit Lung.org.

                                                American Lung Association in South Carolina
                                    1964 Ashley River Rd., Ste. B #80338 • Charleston, SC 29416
                                                 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org