Local Celebrity Dynamic Duo Takes the Stage at Charleston Music Hall for the 7th Annual Lip Sync for Lungs on February 16th

Press Release

Francesca DiSalvo-Follmer (Pure Luxe Bride) and Drew Pond (Dock House Digital) have signed on as celebrity performers in the 2023 Lip Sync For Lungs Live Battle VII, presented by Audi Charleston, to raise money for the American Lung Association in South Carolina. The wildly entertaining, live event helps fund local lung health programs, further lung disease research and advocacy efforts for clean air in South Carolina. 

The Lung Association staff sat down with the two powerhouse business owners to learn more about their participation in Lip Sync For Lungs and why it was so important to them to become involved. 

Q: Drew, I understand your dad suffers from severe asthma.  Can you share how his lung disease has impacted you throughout your life?  What is a memorable piece of advice your father has given you? 

Drew: Growing up having a father with severe asthma made for day-to-day activities to be a constant roll of the dice. His attacks were always sporadic and seemed to occur at inopportune times, like during sporting events, family road trips, etc. We always needed to be prepared and on high alert in case of any flare ups. A memorable piece of advice my Dad has always given me is to not rush your life away. Time moves so quickly, so it’s important to cherish the present and those around you.

Q: Francesca, do you have a personal connection to lung disease? What is driving you to participate in this year’s Lip Sync For Lungs? 

Francesca: Yes, my paternal grandfather passed away from pulmonary fibrosis and a grandfather figure on my mother’s side of the family passed away from lung cancer. My drive to participate in the Lip Sync for Lungs event not only stems from my desire to honor those loved ones, but to raise general awareness for lung disease through a fun, interactive and entertaining event like the Lip Sync Battle.

Q: What do you find most exciting about being Celebrity Performers in the upcoming Lip Sync For Lungs event? 

Francesca & Drew: We’re hopeful that our efforts in fundraising will make a significant, local impact and the performances on event night will be a fun celebration of the process. We hope to shatter the reigning donations record!!!

Q: Without giving anything away, how, and why did you choose the music genre and performance direction for event night? 

Francesca & Drew: We immediately knew we didn’t want to commit to one artist or one duo, and we wanted to take a more unconventional route. Our main objective was to craft a performance that is both unexpected and fun. We are calling our performance a “Mystery Mashup!”

Q: You two decided to participate in the event as a team. You’re obviously very close—what makes your friendship so strong? 

Francesca & Drew: The strength of our friendship revolves around our complementary passions in life and knowing one another’s support and reliability is eternally unwavering. The perpetual affection for family, fun and adventure is a mirror of one to the other. There is nothing we can’t accomplish when we put our brains together. The limit does not exist!

Q: What do you think is the most impactful work the Lung Association is doing in our community?

Drew: Coming from a family with a long line of educators, the educational support groups and online education is so crucial to both awareness and prevention. From my own experience, the Asthma Basics learning module and Better Breathers Club support group are two convenient and supportive resources made available by the ALA.

Q: Why should people purchase tickets to the event and donate to support you two? 

Francesca & Drew: Let’s face it; disease isn’t pretty, and the conversations surrounding disease can be uncomfortable. Lip Sync for Lungs is a FUN and entertaining event that sheds light on an oftentimes not-so-fun, but important subject. The LIVE battle is an incredible way to potentially introduce individuals to the cause. The event can provide someone currently suffering with an evening of laughs, while also celebrating the efforts, both locally and globally, of so many hardworking individuals who work selflessly to conquer and raise awareness for this disease.

The American Lung Association’s Lip Sync For Lungs Live Battle VII, presented by Audi Charleston, will be held February 16th at the Charleston Music Hall. This year’s “We Be-Lung Together” themed event will help fund lung health programs, resources, advocacy efforts and innovative lung cancer research, giving hope to those impacted by the disease and saving more lives. To purchase tickets to the event or make a donation, visit LipSyncForLungs.org. For sponsorship opportunities, email MargaretAnn.Youngs@Lung.org.

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