Television Guitarist Richard Lloyd Diagnosed With Bile-Duct Cancer

Television guitarist and co-founder Richard Lloyd has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer, and a GoFundMe has been launched to assist him and his family in covering his medical expenses. According to the GoFundMe created by Lloyd’s bandmate and friend Sean Seymour, the musician was diagnosed with a rare and intense form of bile duct cancer called cholangiocarcinoma in March.

Seymour noted Lloyd, 74, has tumors in his liver and one near a major blood vessel which makes doctors unable to perform any operations at this time. Furthermore, the Television guitarist has been in the ICU seven times, including for two bouts of sepsis, plus for complications in his kidneys and liver. Lloyd’s wife, Sheila O’Keefe, has given up her job and acted has Lloyd’s full-time caregiver.

Due to his cancer, Lloyd cannot tour or play shows. “For a working musician, that’s devastating — not only because performing is what he loves, but because touring is his primary source of income,” Seymour wrote. “Like most working musicians, Richard is being overwhelmed by crushing medical expenses and the ongoing costs of simply getting through each month while he is unable to work.” Seymour also mentioned “unresolved royalty issues going back roughly two years” have created another stressor for Lloyd and O’Keefe.

Lloyd’s GoFundMe aims to raise $80,000 to cover his medical and monthly living expenses. As of Aug. 24, approximately $48,000 has been donated. “Richard has spent decades giving his music to other people. Now it’s our turn to give something back to him,” Seymour concluded. “I’ve been lucky enough to stand beside Richard on stage for the past four years. Right now, I’d like to stand beside him in a different way.”