WASHINGTON, April 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Larry King Cardiac Foundation (LKCF) is proud to announce that the St. Jude Medical Foundation is once again the presenting sponsor for its annual fundraising gala. Celebrating the Foundation's 20th anniversary, An Evening with Larry King and Friends will be held on Saturday, May 3, at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.
The St. Jude Medical Foundation has underwritten the LKCF fundraising gala for three consecutive years. This sponsorship allows all proceeds raised during the gala to directly benefit LKCF patients in need of cardiac care and brings LKCF one step closer to its goal to Save a Heart a Day. In 2007, the gala raised $1.5 million for patient treatment.
"The St. Jude Medical Foundation has been an invaluable partner in helping us treat cardiac patients who are unable to seek medical care because of limited financial resources and lack of health insurance," says Larry King, Jr., president of LKCF. "Because of the St. Jude Medical Foundation's support, all funds raised from our May 3 gala will go directly to providing more cardiac procedures and ultimately saving more lives. We are pleased that a number of our patients will join us this year to help raise awareness as well as funds -- their way of paying it forward."
"We are proud to continue our support of the Larry King Cardiac Foundation's efforts to make life-saving technologies and treatments available to cardiac patients in need," said Daniel J. Starks, Chairman, President and CEO of St. Jude Medical, Inc., the sole benefactor of the St. Jude Medical Foundation. "LKCF has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and money for cardiac care, and we are pleased to celebrate the important contributions they have made over the past 20 years."
To help prevent and diagnose heart disease, nearly 4,000 people have attended LKCF-sponsored heart health screenings across the United States as part of its Health Across America campaign. To win the "war" against heart disease, screenings are one of the first steps in the campaign.
As part of its partnership with LKCF and its Save a Heart a Day campaign, St. Jude Medical, Inc. will continue to donate cardiovascular devices to support patients who cannot afford adequate medical care. St. Jude Medical's products include implantable defibrillators, pacemakers and heart valves.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in America: 452,000 men, women and children a year die from this disease. Although there are other diseases that have higher visibility, heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of women in America. Approximately 47 million Americans lack health insurance coverage for one year or more; more than 10 million Americans will go without health coverage for a short period of time over the course of a year. More than half of those who are uninsured are low-income; an estimated 8.5 million are children, and about 16 million are women.
Individuals who support LKCF and have been honored in previous years include: Jonathan Tisch, President, Loews Corp.; Frederick Smith, Chairman, President and CEO of FedEx Corp.; August Busch IV, President of Anheuser-Busch, Inc.; J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Marriott International, Inc; and Tim Donahue, former Executive Chairman, Sprint Nextel Corp.
British soul singer and multiple Grammy winner Seal will headline this year's entertainment. SNL's Darrell Hammond will perform. Performers who have donated their time to perform at the gala have included: Tim McGraw, Patti LaBelle, Wayne Brady, Celine Dion, James Brown, Bill Maher, Martin Short, Stevie Wonder, Wynonna Judd, Lewis Black, Vanessa Williams, Donna Summer and Shania Twain.
About The Larry King Cardiac Foundation
LKCF provides funding for life-saving cardiac procedures for individuals who, due to limited means or no insurance, otherwise would be unable to receive life-saving treatment. The Foundation works in conjunction with major medical centers throughout the nation to ensure that such patients receive much-needed medical attention. For more information, please visit www.lkcf.org.
The Larry King Cardiac Foundation logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=558
About The St. Jude Medical Foundation
The St. Jude Medical Foundation (www.sjmfoundation.com) is dedicated to improving awareness and treatment of cardiovascular, neurological and chronic pain conditions. The Foundation's grant programs are focused in three areas: health awareness; advancing the state of medical knowledge through education, research and training; and supporting communities in need.