I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

I'd like to say that I personally know Jeff and his is a great guy. I met him in 94 while a student in college. Shortly after, his family moved to penn and he moved away too. As often happens we attempted to keep in touch and then drifted. With the help of facebook we reconnected all these years later and learned about his tragic story

You can find the fundraising page on facebook at Have a Heart for Jeff Whitman. There was also a Newsday article written. If anyone is free, please come on down to RC Dugans Bar and Grill in East Meadown on Saturday, March 5 between 6-9. The cost is $40p/p which includes open bar, buffet, live musice and raffles. The raffle prizes are outstanding (helicopter rides, bonjovi tickets, Lady gaga tickets, etc) many of which have been generously donated by Bethpage Federal Credit Union

here's the newsday article:
Newsday - Jeff Whitman

East Meadow native Jeff Whitman has lived with a weak heart his whole life. In recent years it has been tested in more ways than one, but the hearts of folks in his former home are helping to keep him going.

Whitman, 44, who moved to Lancaster, Pa., in 1997, met his future wife, Cathy, there in 2005. She had colon cancer, which at the time was in remission. They married four years later, but the cancer resurfaced, and she died in June 2010. Whitman’s father died a year earlier, and his mother recently, leaving only his sister, who lives in Erie, Pa -- a seven hour drive away.

Whitman exhausted his pension and life savings from a career as a park policeman to pay for his wife’s medical bills. All the time he continued to be treated for congenital heart failure; he attributes his most recent bout of heart troubles to being overweight. They returned home to an eviction notice one day after Whitman’s heart forced an extended stay in the hospital. Cathy died a couple of weeks later, and Whitman returned to the hospital with a rapidly failing heart. He's staying at ManorCare Health Services in Yardley, Pa., where a machine is helping his heart beat while he waits for a new one.

“Jeff is a quiet guy,” said a former high school classmate, Denise Pascalis. “Jeff doesn’t ask for help.”

Whitman and Pascalis dated for nine months during their junior year at East Meadow High School, said Pascalis, breaking up just before finals. But the 1984 graduates stayed in touch over the years, and now Pascalis is the organizer of “Have a Heart for Jeffrey Whitman,” an East Meadow-based fundraiser working to help cover the costs of unpaid rent, medical bills from Cathy and credit card balances.

Since the online fundraiser started two weeks ago, donors have sent in more than $4,000 -- including donations from East Meadow High School and several members of Whitman’s graduating class. Many former classmates have also called him at ManorCare. 'Have a heart' has set a goal of $10,000.

Whitman was removed from the heart transplant list after his wife died because he lacked the support needed after the surgery. Pascalis, who is his health care proxy, said they received word last week that he would be placed on a list shortly.

Once he’s better he hopes to return to Long Island and spend more time with Pascalis on the beach.

“I do miss it,” he said. “I do miss the area. I do miss my friends.”

“Have a Heart for Jeffrey Whitman” will hold a fundraiser March 5 at RC Dugans in East Meadow, 2314 Hempstead Tpke. There will be an open bar, buffet, live music and raffles from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $40. For more information, contact Denise Pascalis at 516-455-9780 or
[email protected]. Donations can be made at giveforward.com/haveaheartforjeffrey.

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Is there a FB page for this? If so please share the link so I can share it on my wall.

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Bump for more eyes!

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

this is the bar in the uncle gs shopping center?

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

If you can get me something written out , that can be said in a matter of 90 seconds. I can try and get a friend at the radio station to pass the word. The only thing is for the most part this station is heard western suffolk and nassau. But it does not hurt to try!

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Posted by Domino

Posted by janet

If you can get me something written out , that can be said in a matter of 90 seconds. I can try and get a friend at the radio station to pass the word. The only thing is for the most part this station is heard western suffolk and nassau. But it does not hurt to try!

Thank u so much. I asked the organizer for something and as soon as i have it i will pass it over. Nassau wsuffolk is the perfect area for this!

Re: I wanted to spread the word about an old friend in need - East Meadow H.S. Graduate

Posted by Domino

Posted by MrsSpring

Posted by Domino

Posted by MrsSpring

this is the bar in the uncle gs shopping center?

I am not sure as I am not familiar with the area myself, but I can find out for you

i think it is. my friends dad owns uncle gs ill send her the info so she can pass the word around the store to support him .

I wanted to thank you for helping to spread the word.