LOUISVILLE, KY | March 18, 2026
Get ready to kick off Derby season in style as the American Lung Association in Kentucky prepares to host Derby & Discovery Weekend, beginning with the 32nd Annual Derby Gala on Friday, April 17 at the Galt House Hotel. This two-day celebration brings together the glamour of Derby season with the vital importance of advancing lung health for families across the Commonwealth.
Gala festivities run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Galt House Hotel. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening of glamour with a purpose, featuring a gourmet dinner with wine service, a full-service hosted bar, and live music and dancing with Burning Las Vegas. The evening also includes live and silent auctions and a special Mission Moment highlighting the lifesaving work of the American Lung Association, and attendees are encouraged to dress to impress for this signature spring celebration held on the eve of Thunder Over Louisville.
The Gala brings together community leaders, healthcare professionals, and supporters for a night of connection and impact, marking the official start of Derby & Discovery Weekend. Individual tickets start at $400 and guests are encouraged to get a ticket now to secure their place at this signature Derby season event.
This year’s Derby & Discovery Weekend aims to raise $220,000 to support lung health research, education, and advocacy for families across Kentucky. These funds help advance the Lung Association’s mission and provide critical resources for Kentuckians.
“The weekend will bring together the excitement of Kentucky’s beloved Derby season with the vital importance of lung health for families across Kentucky,” said Whitten Montgomery, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Kentucky. “With more than 740,000 people living with chronic lung disease in our state, the Gala’s spirit and the Symposium’s education offer a meaningful celebration and opportunity to advance lung health and strengthen our mission, because if you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”
The weekend will continue on Saturday, April 18 with the Lung Education Symposium Presented by Merck, also held at the Galt House. The Symposium begins at 9:00am and will focus on Pulmonary Hypertension, featuring nationally recognized experts offering insights for healthcare professionals, patients, and community members.
Derby & Discovery Weekend is made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including Merck as Trifecta Sponsor of the Derby Gala and Presenting Sponsor of the Lung Education Symposium; Gala sponsors UK HealthCare as Exacta Sponsor, Norton Healthcare and Kindred Hospitals as Place Sponsors, and Lilly Sponsors University of Louisville School of Medicine, United Healthcare, and AstraZeneca.
Tickets for the Derby Gala are available at derbygala.org and registration for the Lung Education Symposium are available at Derby and Discovery: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension | American Lung Association. Community members are encouraged to secure their spots early, as Derby season events traditionally fill quickly.
Together, the Derby Gala and Lung Education Symposium create a powerful weekend of celebration, discovery, and impact—championing lung health while honoring Kentucky’s cherished Derby traditions.
For media inquiries or to request an interview with a representative from the American Lung Association, please contact Val Gleason at 717-971-1123 or [email protected].
