Eric Bolivar’s many friends are banding together to support him in a time of need. The multi-talented drummer was recently diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease, a hereditary condition that catapulted him into level 5 kidney failure.
Bolivar is currently out of the hospital and receiving outpatient dialysis treatment. He will soon begin nightly dialysis at home, and the goal is to eventually have a kidney transplant.
A Bay-area native who lived and played in Brooklyn before relocating to New Orleans shortly before Katrina, Bolivar spent much of his time touring up until his diagnosis. He has worked with a diverse collection of high-profile musicians, from Anders Osborne to Ellis Marsalis, Bonerama, Widespread Panic, and Lenny Kravitz.
He won’t be able to work for quite some time, so his friends have started a GoFundMe campaign to help him pay for medical expenses and to support his family, and it’s already making an impact.
As of this morning, over 600 friends, family members, fans, and concerned citizens had raised over $40,000 in the first nine days of the campaign.
The initial goal of $10,000 was reached in just one day, $20,000 in was reached in two days and $30,000 was reached in three.
There are also several fundraising concerts in the works, beginning with one at Rock ‘N’ Bowl in March. In April, guitarist Billy Iuso and Bolivar’s girlfriend Martha Alguera will host a large-scale benefit at Tipitina’s. The all-star lineup will feature Iuso, the Honey Island Swamp Band, Papa Mali, John “Papa” Gros, Terry McDermott, and countless others.
“Pretty everyone from that scene signed on immediately when they heard this was happening,” Iuso said. “That’s just the kind of guy Eric is. He’s very versatile, easy to work with, he doesn’t bitch. He really has all the good qualities you could possibly ask for in a musician. There isn’t anyone in this town he hasn’t played with, and when we toured together, there wasn’t one town that we went to that he didn’t have at least a couple close friends in.”
Indeed, far-flung friends have been putting together fundraisers from New York City all the way to Denver. The outpouring of support has been monumental, and Bolivar and his loved ones are immensely grateful.
However, it’s a long road ahead, and Bolivar will need to deal with high medical bills for the rest of his life. To contribute to the cause, visit the GoFundMe page.
More information on the benefit concerts will be forthcoming.
