Larry King and family at last year's benefit
Photo: BizBash
Larry King is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his Larry King Cardiac Foundation tomorrow night at the organization's annual benefit. Produced again by Linda Roth, the 500-person event is taking over the Washington Ritz-Carlton, where a few new facets are being added to the evening.
For one, the live "Auction to Live" will offer bidders a chance to buy a cardiac procedure for a patient. "We thought we'd make this year about the patients," Roth said, adding that some 20 healthy patients who been helped by the foundation will be on site, volunteering to act as bid spotters. Items up for bid include a pacemaker, open-heart surgery, and a basic stent procedure. Added Linda Roth associate Alicia Sovart, "The healthy patients allow the guests to see that their dollars are going to good use."Another new addition is a tribute to King in the form of a video montage of various celebrities—from Tim Russert to Jimmy Kimmel to Rachael Ray—congratulating the CNN host on 20 years. After that, Saturday Night Live's Darrell Hammond and British singer Seal will perform, both of whom were wrangled by King himself.
For one, the live "Auction to Live" will offer bidders a chance to buy a cardiac procedure for a patient. "We thought we'd make this year about the patients," Roth said, adding that some 20 healthy patients who been helped by the foundation will be on site, volunteering to act as bid spotters. Items up for bid include a pacemaker, open-heart surgery, and a basic stent procedure. Added Linda Roth associate Alicia Sovart, "The healthy patients allow the guests to see that their dollars are going to good use."Another new addition is a tribute to King in the form of a video montage of various celebrities—from Tim Russert to Jimmy Kimmel to Rachael Ray—congratulating the CNN host on 20 years. After that, Saturday Night Live's Darrell Hammond and British singer Seal will perform, both of whom were wrangled by King himself.
