The Larry King Cardiac Foundation

About The Larry King Cardiac Foundation

In 1987, Larry King awoke in the Intensive Care Unit of a New York hospital after undergoing successful quintuple bypass heart surgery. For almost a year, his heart had been failing as a result of cardiovascular disease. Larry was lucky. His hospital bills were covered by insurance. Others are not so lucky. While Larry was recovering from his operation, he made a promise to himself to help others who may not be as lucky.

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 Larry King Cardiac Foundation 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 seven premier Cardiac Centers: Children’s National Medical Center and George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 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: View our annual report Watch our videos on our Save a Heart a Day website Visit our Partners page

Larry King is just one of the more than 60 million people in the United States who suffers from heart disease. In his book, Taking on Heart Disease, Larry solicits the help of his celebrity friends, including actors, athletes, comedians, authors, singers and political figures to recount their personal triumphs over heart disease in an effort to educate the ever-growing number of heart disease victims. Since battling heart disease, these beloved recognized figures offer help and hope to heart disease patients. Also contributing to the book are some of the best cardiologists in the world who discuss prevention and treatment.

The Larry King Cardiac Foundation has embraced an ambitious goal.  We can, and we will, “Save a Heart a Day.”  Our vital support network of physicians, hospitals, medical device companies and pharmaceutical companies have joined us in this landmark commitment to bring critical care to people who have simply run out of options.  Saving lives, healing families, strengthening communities, one patient at a time … a heart a day.