Former Pasadena Public Information Officer Ann Erdman Seeks Help After Battling COVID and Other Health Issues

Former Pasadena Public Information Officer Ann Erdman has started a gofundme page as she continues to recover from several health issues, including a bout with COVID-19.

According to her gofundme page, Erdman will be discharged on March 25 from Royal Oaks Skilled Nursing in Bradbury and return to her home in Pasadena.

Erdman has been at Royal Oaks since Dec. 31 after suffering serious injuries from a fall at home that required her to learn how to walk again.

While at Royal Oaks, her physical therapy was set back considerably because she suffered from COVID-19 for weeks; and she recently experienced a new, debilitating issue when her left knee buckled and her leg collapsed from under her, so she could not bear weight on it to stand during physical therapy sessions.

“When she goes home, Ann will need caregivers 24/7 for a few weeks and possibly longer. She will continue physical therapy at home three times a week, which will be covered by insurance,” the page reads. “But the cost of caregivers is all out-of-pocket, and Ann’s pockets are empty due to paying for previous caregivers plus other related expenses that maxed out her credit cards and depleted her bank accounts.

“We estimate that her 24/7 in-home care, daily living expenses and paying down her credit cards will easily top $6,000 per month,” the page states.

Erdman served as the city’s PIO from 1991 and announced her retirement in 2011. By then she had been deemed the “Minister of Truthiness,” by Joe Piasecki at the Pasadena Weekly for her honesty and transparency when dealing with reporters.

She also served as a moderator on “Citybeat,” a local public access TV show that featured members of the local media discussing issues of the day with Pasadena elected officials.

In 2012, she made local history when she became the first person to ride in both the Rose Parade as well as its doppelganger, the Doo Dah Parade.

She continues to work with nonprofit organizations to help them with their public relations needs.

Erdman’s campaign had raised nearly $8,000 by Thursday afternoon.

To donate, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ann-erdman-get-back-on-her-feet?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer