The Beat Goes On

I love meeting people and hearing their stories. I feel fortunate that I get to share that fascination with the rest of the world. In my past roles and on Ora TV's Larry King Now , I interview the leading figures in popular culture, folks like the great actor James Gandolfini, who we've just lost to cardiac arrest. It's a sad week for his many friends and admirers, myself included.

On the topic of addressing heart disease, like so much else, the news can sometimes be good, as well as bad. As founder of the Larry King Cardiac Foundation (LKCF), I get a double bonus -- both helping those in need get essential medical care that they couldn't otherwise afford and then watching what they make of that new lease on life. I'm just blown away by what some of our patients have gone onto to do, not only to take control of their own lives, but in fighting to ensure that others get a good shot at a second chance.

My wife Shawn is the Chair of the LKCF. She and I make it a priority to keep in touch with the extended LKCF family. Last week we got an update from Noemi, whose "hubby" Laszlo we helped in both 2009 and 2011. Over the years, we've watched their two boys grow into wonderful young men and marveled at all the amazing things that Noemi has been inspired to do with the support of her now fully heart-healthy husband. She had the courage to take on the role of PTO president and has become an active leader in her community, as a public speaker and philanthropist. She has organized annual Save A Heart events and partnered with hair salons and even Roller Derby champs to raise money for LKCF. Talk about passing it forward! In thanks for us saving a heart that's the center of her world, she and her family act as a team to save the hearts of other people's loved ones. That's a beautiful thing.

Two years ago, Noemi started a Wall of Hearts page on Facebook to serve as a gathering place for families, in addition to our own official page. It keeps the many LKCF patient families together and is full of simple but profound reminders of what is possible. The site paints a picture of lasting friendships among folks who know that the best way to save a heart (beyond nutrition and exercise) is to spread happiness far and wide. I'm proud to give a shout out this one family, but there are many others, so stay tuned.

Do you feel like saving a heart today? Here's an easy way to be a really huge hero -- every donation adds up and changes lives for the better.