American College of Cardiology Foundation and Larry King Cardiac Foundation To Hold Press Conference in New Orleans

(PRWeb) March 12, 2007 -- Larry King, who was invited by the ACCF to announce the partnership of The Larry King Cardiac Foundation and The American College of Cardiology Foundation, will accept his selection as Honorary Chair for the ACCF's Campaign for the Future. King will join Douglas Zipes, M.D., M.A.C.C., Chair of the ACCF's Campaign, to discuss the details of the campaign efforts.

The press conference coincides with The College's 56th Annual Scientific Session, the leading scientific meeting that brings together nearly 30,000 attendees from around the world to share best practices and innovations in cardiovascular science and education. This year's conference takes place in New Orleans from March 24-27.

Stats:

A current trend is leading to a major cardiac care crisis in the U.S. Due to the rising number of heart disease patients and inadequate funding of cardiovascular training slots, the problem is escalating dramatically. According to ACC research, if nothing is done to stop the trend, by 2020, the ratio could be only five cardiologists per every 100,000 patients.

Mr. King, host of CNN's Larry King Live, established the Larry King Cardiac Foundation in 1988 after undergoing successful quintuple bypass heart surgery. The LKCF provides funding and access to life-saving treatment for individuals who would otherwise be unable to receive the care they need. Larry King is one of the 60 million+ people in the U.S. who suffer from heart disease.

The goal of The Campaign for the Future is to raise funds that will be applied to ensuring an adequate workforce of cardiac care professionals, meeting the growing need for professional education, and developing nationwide initiatives related to quality care and healthy lifestyle choices. The "Heart of the Matter" Campaign for the Future Luncheon with Larry King following the press conference is sponsored by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi-Sankyo, Inc., King Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.

About American College of Cardiology Foundation:
The American College of Cardiology Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advocacy of quality cardiovascular care through education, research promotion, development and the application of standards and guidelines. The Foundation, which also aims to influence health care policy, is aligned with the mission and goals of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), a 34,000-member nonprofit medical society that provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care. For more information, visit www.acc.org

About The Larry King Cardiac Foundation:
The Larry King Cardiac Foundation (LKCF) was established in 1988 to provide funding for life-saving treatment for individuals who, due to limited means or no insurance, would otherwise be unable to receive the treatment and care they so desperately need. The Foundation works in conjunction with hospitals throughout the nation to ensure that such patients receive proper medical attention. Doctors performing these surgeries do so at no charge. Hospitals are compensated only for the materials used. Hearts are repaired. Families are given another chance. Lives are saved. The LKCF is a non-profit organization funded from the proceeds of Mr. King's books, speaking engagements, and from entertainment galas conducted in New York City, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. The LKCF is affiliated with eight premier Cardiac Centers: Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Los Angeles County + USC in Los Angeles, California, New York Presbyterian: The University Hospital of Columbia and Weill Cornell University Medical Center in New York, NY, St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. LKCF also works in conjunction with Venice Family Clinic in Venice, California. For more information, visit www.lkcf.org

Media contact:
To confirm your attendance or for additional information, contact: Greg Walsh; 203-216-6101;
Photos are also available upon request.

###