Eric Bolivar Suffering From Polycystic Kidney Disease

We’ve long been a fan of New Orleans drummer Eric Bolivar’s work in such projects as Pimps Of Joytime, Some Cat From Japan, Bonerama, The Anders Osborne Band and backing Tab Benoit, so we’re saddened to find out that Bolivar is dealing with a serious medical issue.

[Photo by Susan Weiand]

Eric revealed he’s been hospitalized and diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease in a post on Facebook:

“I don’t even know where to begin. Thank you thank you thank you to all of you for the unbelievable and overwhelming outpouring of love and support. It means the world to me. Hugs and kisses to all of you. I’m still at the hospital (LSU in New Orleans) and will be for at least a few more days. So if you haven’t heard, I have polycystic kidney disease. There are multiple and apparently inoperable benign cysts on my kidneys. They say that it’s hereditary and nothing to do with anything that I did or didn’t do to myself. They also said that it’s a good thing I got this a bit later in life as kids with this don’t always make it. I have a few more rounds of dialysis here before I start dialysis at home. For those that have been asking, I don’t know anything about transplant protocol yet but I’m about to find out. Btw to the people who have asked about that, I am forever grateful for you to have even considered what you’re considering. The road ahead is unclear on a lot of fronts at this point, so I have a lot to figure out. I know with all of you behind me I’ll be ok. Thank you all so much and hope to see you out there soon! Love love love (as Seal would say) To be continued” -Eric Bolivar

Bolivar’s friends, fans and family have started a Go Fund Me campaign to help raise money for what’s sure to be many medical and personal costs the drummer will need to pay for his treatment and while he’s sidelined from his role as a full-time musician. The page notes, “Eric has been diagnosed with level 5 kidney failure, and will require dialysis daily for the rest of his life, and possibly a kidney transplant. This will sideline him from doing what he was meant to do for a living for who knows how long, and he desperately needs our help.” We really hope Eric’s back on stage and gets healthy as soon as possible.