Grateful Dead Crew Member Kidd Candelario Launches Medical Fundraiser

Grateful Dead crew member Kidd Candelario’s family launched a GoFundMe campaign to further aid in medical costs after he suffered a series of strokes last summer. The GoFundMe campaign organized by Catalina Candelario has been set up to help with the costs of an assisted living facility for the longtime Grateful Dead family member who began working with the band in 1966.

Read a portion of Catalina Candelario’s update on Kidd’s condition below:

Hi all,

We have great news! Kidd has moved from Welcome Home in Castro Valley to Bello Gardens in San Anselmo. While he is still in recovery from his stroke, he is making great progress. We are hoping you can help us with this next phase of care.

When Kidd was discharged from Alta Bates after 14 days in the ICU last June, he was moved to Welcome Home as a matter of practicality so he could be closer to the hospital and his physicians. During his stay, he made consistent progress, recovering slowly but surely from the very serious physical and mental ramifications of his stroke. In addition to weekly physical and occupational therapy, he also had cataract surgery in both eyes which has improved his vision immensely (as anyone on Instagram can probably tell!). He is still having some physical mobility issues but can now stand for short periods of time and can get in and out of cars with some assistance.

Over the past few months we have recognized the need to move Kidd closer to his friends and family, and researched assisted living facilities in Marin and Sonoma County. We are absolutely delighted that we were able to secure a private room for him at Bello Gardens, in beautiful downtown San Anselmo. Built in 1947, Bello Gardens was originally designed as a convent for the nuns who taught at St. Anselmo across the street, and is located just blocks from Reflections Jewelry store, owned by Cody’s nanny from childhood, a precious friend who now offers the same loving attention for Kidd that nurtured our family when Cody was a little boy.

Read the full note here. Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir also took to social media to show his support and raise awareness for Candelario’s GoFundMe Campaign. Check out his tweet below:

Head here to donate to Kidd Candelario’s GoFundMe campaign.