Eric's Story
Chillon Caraway
LSU Student, Alexis Smith
The Gifted Life Podcast is excited to share a story about a life saved.
Read a special guest blog from LSU Manship School of Communications student, Alexis Smith.
Register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at registerme.org
Eric Bolivar, age 47, has led a colorful, passion-driven life as a beloved New Orleans drummer. Bolivar has performed alongside numerous high-profile musicians such as Lenny Kravitz, Anders Osborne, Bonerama, Ellis Marsalis, Karl Denson and many more.
Eric Bolivar
The life he treasured and became accustomed to came to a standstill on Jan. 15, 2015, when Bolivar discovered he was combatting hereditary Polycystic Kidney Disease. The diagnosis propelled him into stage five kidney failure, and requires dialysis as he waits for a possible kidney transplant.
“I had all kinds of strange problems going on in my body up until my diagnosis. They would come and go, but I would always attest them to the crazy schedule of a musician. I was flying around the world for shows and my sleep schedule was never the same. I began experiencing extreme fatigue; I would sleep nine to 11 hours, get up to eat and have to go right back to bed for at least another five hours. I experienced terrible cramping. If I engaged any muscle it would seize up. I was having trouble keeping my food down and other weird things. Anyway, the symptoms began to overlap and I knew I had to get checked,” recalls Bolivar.
The five-year mark since his diagnosis has recently passed, and Bolivar is still waiting to receive his second chance at life. He tries to live his life as normally as possible, and gives thanks every day for the technology that allows him to stay alive while he waits for a transplant. Eric spends roughly 18 hours a week in dialysis. There have been close calls and matches of living donors, but things have fallen through for a variety of reasons, which can understandably be trying.
“Even though it takes up about 18 hours a week, my life seems to revolve around dialysis. Don’t get me wrong, I thank the Lord that dialysis treatment is a viable option while I wait for a kidney, but I can’t help but want my time back. I have tried to keep a positive attitude during this process and it really does help. It becomes so much harder on the days when I allow myself to get even a little bit down. I just keep telling myself that things will work out,” he professes.
Despite his many trials however, Bolivar remains patient, listens to the doctors and medical staff, and puts his trust in the fact that things will work out the way they are meant to. Eric is also a father to a beautiful daughter, Lola. He has lived with the disease for most of her life; fatherhood, his loved ones and family motivate him to stay positive and continue the fight.
“I really hope my daddy can get a new kidney soon,” says Bolivar’s daughter, Lola. (Tiny Lola pictured below with Eric and Eric’s sister.)
Since the diagnosis in 2015, Bolivar has been unable to travel around the world and perform as a full-time musician. This has inspired the New Orleans community including fellow musicians, loved ones and complete strangers to band together in support of Bolivar. As soon as the news of Bolivar’s diagnosis was announced, several fundraising concerts and benefits were held, as well as a GoFundMe campaign.
LOPA was fortunate enough to hear the story from Bolivar himself and call attention to the need of organ donation awareness and the importance of registry. The average wait for a kidney is five to seven years, and the kidney is the most needed organ in Louisiana. Bolivar’s story is a real testimony to LOPA’s mission of Making Life Happen.
To learn more about the importance of organ donation, listen to The Gifted Life Podcast. On episode 109, LOPA Community Educators, Sheron Raymond and Cheryl McGee-Hills discuss their passion for spreading awareness in an episode titled Donation Education.
Written by Alexis Smith - LSU Student - Manship School of Mass Communications