Jeff Whitman has gone through more heartache than any person should withstand.

Whitman, a graduate of East Meadow High School in 1984, has suffered repeated medical setbacks. He has been affected by heart ailments since childbirth, and after coping for a long time, he eventually needed a pacemaker.

"He is, and always has been, a great guy, a good soul," former EMHS classmate Patti Kutil said. "Unfortunately, he is not well."

It was when the pacemaker battery needed to be changed on Whitman's pacemaker that another problem arose. During the procedure, Whitman's heart was punctured and the operation had to be suspended.

But that's not all.

Since 2005, Whitman's life has been a series of complications. He suffers from Cardiomyopathy and Congenital Heart Disease, and it was determined that he will need a heart transplant to stay alive. In the past two years, Whitman lost his father, his wife to colon cancer, and most recently his mother. Now he is confined to Manor Care Rehab Facility in Yardley, PA, and he is on a LVAD that keeps him alive.

Whitman has no home, and he exhausted his savings and pension while his wife was battling cancer.

"Jeff has nobody else in this world," Kutil said. "No close relatives. No home. We ask you to keep him in your thoughts and prayers."

A group of old friends have formed a website to help Whitman with some of the expenses he has that are not covered by insurance. The group has raised more than $3,600 thus far.

Denise Pascalis, who has been helping Whitman through this ordeal, revealed some encouraging news on the Support Jeff Whitman Facebook page.

"Jeff called me today to let me know that Dr. Eisen and his heart transplant team at Hahnemann Hospital want to meet with us on Feb. 28," Pascalis wrote on Saturday. "I am assuming it is to start the process of getting him back on the transplant list."

Friends of Whitman are also organizing a benefit to help their former classmate, and it will be held at RC Dugan's on March 5, from 6-9 p.m. Price of admission is $40, and there will be food, music, raffles and more. Fellow '85 EMHS Alumni, Criss Angel will be donating one of his Ultimate Magic Kits for the raffle.

If you would like to give Whitman a call, the number is 215-369-7357, or you can send cards to:

Manor Care Rehab

1480 Oxford Valley Road

Yardley, PA