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The Larry King Cardiac Foundation Brings its Annual Gala to Homes Across the Nation

Posted on: Thursday, 5 March 2009, 15:42 CST

2009 will be business unusual for the Foundation

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans and nonprofit organizations are currently facing increasingly tough economic times. In light of these circumstances, The Larry King Cardiac Foundation (LKCF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding life-saving cardiac care for individuals with no health insurance, has announced that it is changing the way it does business in 2009.

In lieu of its annual black tie gala held in Washington, D.C., the Foundation made the decision to forego this popular event and bring the party to homes across the nation in what it calls party philanthropy. Party philanthropy is a fresh approach to fundraising that allows people who are planning to celebrate meaningful events like birthdays or anniversaries to make it more purposeful.

By simply visiting the new Web site www.larrykingandfriends.org, individuals and groups can choose to make their personal occasion even more meaningful by helping to save the life of someone in need. Party organizers can sign up to receive a "Save a Heart Party Kit," which contains all the essentials for throwing a benefit in the comfort of their own home. Lucky party planners might even receive a call from LKCF's founder and Emmy(R)-winning talk show host Larry King during their event.

"The idea for this initiative came to me late last year from a woman named Meg in Tampa, Fla.," said Larry King, Jr., president of LKCF. "She was celebrating her 40th birthday in a big way and asked her friends to make a donation to our foundation instead of feting her with gifts. Through the money they raised, her friends were able to help save the life of a member of the Tampa community. To Meg, that was the best birthday gift she had ever received."

Party kits contain 25 wristbands that display the Foundation's mission, Save a Heart a Day; Larry King & Friends plates and napkins; a heart-healthy cookbook from The Cleveland Clinic; a bouquet of flowers from ProFlowers; customized party items from Zazzle.com; and great gifts such as a St. Jude Medical Foundation travel tote; an M. Kantor & Associates heart pin or pendant for the party host; a Swarovski Crystal Sprint phone charm; Paul Mitchell shampoo, and more. There is also an opportunity to bid on exciting auction items through its eBay Giving Works online auction.

St. Jude Medical, Inc., a longtime supporter of the Foundation's gala events, has signed on as the underwriter of the party philanthropy initiative. These funds, along with all other gifts received through parties, will go directly toward patient service. With this strategy, LKCF can lower its operating costs and, as a result, save even more lives.

Larry King launched the Foundation in 1988 after suffering from a heart attack. Since its inception, LKCF has established unique partnerships with premier medical centers to identify and treat qualified candidates. As president, King, Jr. has placed an emphasis on securing medical supplies at little to no cost and negotiating reduced rates with healthcare providers in order to assist as many patients as possible.

The Foundation receives funding through grants, corporate sponsorships, special events, individual donations, eBay auctions, donations via its Web site and proceeds from Larry King's books and speaking engagements.

About the Larry King Cardiac Foundation

The Larry King Cardiac Foundation was established in 1988 to provide funding for life-saving treatment for individuals, who due to limited means or no insurance, would be otherwise unable to receive the treatment and medical attention they so desperately need. Since its inception, The Larry King Cardiac Foundation has saved more than 700 individuals. For more information, visit www.lkcf.org.

SOURCE Larry King Cardiac Foundation

Source: PR Newswire

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