Quality of Cardiac Care in America at Stake ACCF Addresses Issues; Names Larry King Honorary Campaign Chair

    /24-7PressRelease/ - NEW ORLEANS, LA, March 30, 2007 - Coinciding with the 56th Annual Scientific Session (ACC.07) in New Orleans, the American College of Cardiology Foundation and The Larry King Cardiac Foundation joined together for a special press conference and luncheon to address key issues affecting the continued delivery of quality cardiac care in America.

Dr. Douglas Zipes, chair of the Campaign, was the onsite host, and hard-hitting newsman Larry King was live via satellite for the announcement and to lead a distinguished panel of medical professionals, including King's personal cardiologist Dr. P.K. Shah, for the kickoff of the ACCF's Campaign for the Future.

Dr. Zipes, explained, "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. By addressing issues through the Campaign we can effectively alleviate growing problems in cardiac care. We're very happy to have the assistance of the Larry King Cardiac Foundation to work with the ACCF."

The ACC, a visionary organization that leads the way for optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention guidelines, established the ACCF's Campaign for the Future to address the rising number of heart disease patients and inadequate funding of cardiovascular training slots. According to ACC research, the problem is escalating dramatically and if nothing is done to stop the trend, by 2020 the ratio could be only five cardiologists per every 100,000 patients.

The Heart of the Matter represents the launch of upcoming cooperative efforts between the ACCF and LKCF to continue the mission of the Campaign.

"The Campaign for the Future has exactly the kind of foresight needed to insure that there will be quality resources available for everyone," King said. "As one of the more than 60 million people in the U.S. who suffers from heart disease, I am lucky that I have the resources readily available to me. The ACCF's Campaign can make sure that quality care will continue to be available."

The ACCF's Campaign for the Future kick off event featuring Larry King was 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: Greg Walsh; 203-216-6101; [email protected]
Photos and B-Roll are available upon request.

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