This Friday evening at the “Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Oxygen Ball at the Charleston Gaillard Center, five local celebrities will step into the limelight, competing to raise funds for lung health.
Local author Kat Varn knows exactly what’s running through their minds: stage fright, freedom, exhilaration. She knows because she’s been in their dance shoes. In 2019, Varn was named Charleston Oxygen Ball Champion and has served as event chair for the past two years.
We caught up with Varn to learn more about her history with the Oxygen Ball and why lung health is so important to her.
Kat Varn, author and event chair of the Charleston Oxygen Ball
Q. Hi, Kat! Let’s dive right in. What makes the Oxygen Ball such a special local event?
A. The Oxygen Ball is so full of joy! Our local celebrities give their all to put on a wonderful evening for everyone. Remember, many of our performers do not have a dance background. For eight weeks, these folks are going to a vulnerable place for this event while balancing family and careers. And? Fundraising! They smash it out of the park every year.
Of course, we dig into the “information and facts” of the Lung Association’s lifesaving mission and its work right here in Charleston.
Dancing is always at the center though. And our “Dancing with the Stars” cast members won’t be the only ones on the dance floor. We have alumni dancers return for special performances. Attendees are presented with a fun theme upon arrival, and, of course, the evening closes with an hour of free dancing.
Q. We have a saying at the Lung Association, “When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.” How does that resonate with you?
A. Everything comes down to your lungs. It is so easy to take the ability to breathe for granted.
It’s the most helpless feeling in the world to watch someone you love struggle to breathe. My father died of congestive heart failure, which causes fluid to build up in the lungs. My late mother-in-law battled pulmonary fibrosis. My dear friend, Sybil, received a double lung transplant. I dedicated my 2019 dance to them.
I love diving, but when I am underwater, my scuba tank and regulator keeps me alive. If I don’t regulate how much air I have and draw my last breath from a dry tank—I’ll be in trouble.
I cannot turn away from those who face a health issue above water relying on just their lungs and always aware they could fail. Breathing is a gift. I can’t fix the problems myself, but I can help. I can dance, and I can encourage our community to raise much-needed funds.
Q. What’s your relationship with dance?
A. I loved to dance when I was very young. My sisters and I would put on a record and create our own choreography. My mother noticed and put me in a ballet class. Unfortunately, Madame Levette didn’t think I had what it took, so there went my dance career! I was crushed – I was only five years old!
About 16 years ago, I decided to enroll in a six-week belly dance class at a local high school and eventually joined the Palmetto Oasis Middle Eastern Dance Troupe. Take that, Madame Levette!
That said, I still had stage fright in the lead-up to the 2019 Oxygen Ball. But, with the help of previous celebrities and International Ballroom, I got through it. I’ve found that dance is therapy. It pulls things out of you and helps you process them.
And I’m still dancing! I recently performed with my belly dance troupe at the North Charleston Performing Arts Festival. I’ve become part of the International Ballroom family and dance often with my professional instructor, Andrey Gergel.
Q. What is the most important thing people should know about the event?
A. The funds raised at the Oxygen Ball directly support the Lowcountry community through programming, education and lifesaving research. 90 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to the mission.
One of the things I love most about Charleston is that we are a self-made city. The Oxygen Ball is no different. It’s an event for Charlestonians to give back to our wonderful community and have fun doing it!
Q. What would you say to someone who has never been to the event before?
A. Last year’s winner, Dr. Marguerite Germain, summed it up brilliantly. Our state motto, “While I breathe, I hope,” is on full display at the Oxygen Ball. It’s embodied by everyone—dancers and attendees—alike.
Q. Anything you’d like to add?
A. The Oxygen Ball is like a quilt with all the different facets coming together to create a beautiful whole: the local Lung Association team, the Oxygen Ball Committee—many of whom are past participants, our five celebrities and their professional dance partners from International Ballroom Dance Studios, our gorgeous venue, the Gaillard Center, and our attendees and donors.
We’re all part of an amazing legacy. The 2024 James Bond theme “License to Breathe” promises to shake and stir support for those struggling with lung health. Thank you all!
Q. Thank you, Kat! You can support lung health by donating here.
This year’s Oxygen Ball celebrity dancer lineup features:
- Trudy Billings – former information technology executive
- Jenny Costa Honeycutt, Esq. – of Costa Honeycutt, LLC and vice chair of the Charleston County Council
- Dean Rommes – owner and president of SNAP Integrations
- Tessa Spencer – evening news anchor at ABC News 4 and media veteran
- Gil Tisdale – artist and designer at S. Bogan Designs
The American Lung Association’s “Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Oxygen Ball will be held on Friday, May 17 at the Charleston Gaillard Center. To purchase tickets, or make a donation, visit CharlestonOxygenBall.org.
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