Hello, my name is Kerry, and I am honored to say Jennifer Whalen has been my best friend for almost 40 years. Jenn is an amazing friend, wife, and mom to two wonderful children.

She desperately needs our help with critical care medical expenses.

As many of you know, Jennifer Whalen had a common heart procedure at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ, on June 6th, 2022. With five minutes to go in the three-hour procedure, her heart unexpectedly stopped (cardiogenic shock) and required doctors to put her on life support. They inserted a breathing tube and heart pump. Shortly thereafter, she was transferred to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC. Jennifer has remained intubated and in critical condition to this day. She is currently in the ICU unit at University Hospital in Newark, NJ.

Her husband, Dan, is the sole family income earner. He has lovingly traveled by her side for the duration, first making daily trips across the George Washington Bridge to the hospital in Manhattan and now to Newark.

He has remained on a lengthy unpaid leave during this duration. During this time, the family’s bills have been mounting. Having worked for just three months at his new job before this tragedy, he did not qualify for any employer or government paid leave. While having private employer-based medical insurance, the deductible and co-payments for Jennifer’s care are extraordinary, unexpected, and coming due. Other expenses, such as health insurance premiums without a paycheck, continue.

Dan and Jennifer have been blessedly happily married for almost 28 years and are raising two beautiful children. Unfortunately, their family is in the midst of immense emotional and financial strain. The many prayers and kind words have been greatly appreciated.

The Whalen family will be profoundly grateful for any generous financial assistance during this grave and heartbreaking time.