“Richard Brodsky’s story is one for the ages. This man not only overcame HIV and brain cancer, he also runs multiple marathons and travels annually to Africa to bring nutritious food + health care to children. He is truly an inspiration”  – Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive

The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation was established by me, Richard Brodsky, in 2005. I was diagnosed HIV-positive back in 1997 and having to tell Jodi, my loving wife, that I was HIV-positive was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. A year later I ran my fastest marathon, a 03:23 at age 46, and I began to realize that if the AIDS medicine was easily accessible to AIDS sufferers all over the world, millions of lives could be saved. It was unacceptable to me that 2,000,000 +/- people were dying from AIDS every year; how could I help reduce the number of deaths from AIDS? I did write a book titled, Jodi, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. The book was a gift to my wife for keeping our family loving and whole. It was also a plea to get AIDS medicine to AIDS sufferers all over the world. By going public with our story, my wife, also a marathon runner, and I hoped other HIV-positive people would come forward and share their stories how they were living productive lives.

It seemed as if ‘The Man’ upstairs was not about to claim me so fast. While at my own book signing at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Greenwich Village, two days before the 2002 New York Marathon, I had a seizure. Three weeks later I had a malignant brain tumor removed and my doctors told me I could expect to live only 2 – 4 years more. A year and a day later, I completed the New York Marathon flanked by my very supportive Brain Oncologist, Dr. Casilda Balmaceda. She suggested I start a Foundation to help people living with HIV and cancer so here I am now… ready and eager to help people less fortunate than me. Please can I count on you for a Money Donation or a Product Donation?

The Foundation has been involved with 18 World AIDS Marathons. The Richard M. Foundation will be sponsoring the only marathon in North America on World AIDS Day 2024 as well as a half marathon, 10 and 5K on the Rockaway boardwalk. For 10 days in early – mid December  we will be returning to Kisumu, Kenya to participate in the 2024 5K AIDS fun run and 4 orphan dinner dances, medical care for orphans, a meet and greet dinner, and 2 days of events for special needs kids. For more information about the World AIDS Marathon and the Foundation you can visit the websites World AIDS Marathon and Richard M. Brodsky Foundation.

Over the past few years, gnawing at me was a question that I had been asked by so many, ‘What are you doing for AIDS sufferers and cancer survivors in America?’ The Foundation did give away a few thousand dollars to AIDS and cancer projects in America, but the bulk of my time and energy, and money that the Foundation raised went to very worthwhile AIDS projects in Africa. Honestly, it is not easy raising money as most people prefer giving to larger charities. But that will never get my spirit down as I know there is no other President of a Foundation or anyone in the world who is HIV-positive and has brain cancer who raises money by running marathons.

Success can also be measured by the AIDS Awareness the 15 World AIDS Marathons in Kisumu, Kenya have brought about:

• 3,300+ people were tested for HIV
• 13,695 orphans were served dinner at 53 festive orphan dinner dances
• 3,297 orphans were examined and treated at the festive orphan dinner dances since 2011. Dr. Richard Sartori of Garden City Pediatrics has examined 1,000+ of these orphans + provided the medicine since 2011.
• 3,300 children walked in Children’s Walks and were served a light meal
• In 2021 we received two grants from the Theresa Foundation and provided 5 days of painting lessons and a concert for special needs kids.
• In 2006, a free concert was sponsored plus 50 Kenyans were invited to compete in the marathon and the Foundation covered the costs for lodging, meals and transportation.
• In 2004, we raised enough money for groundbreaking to commence after an 18 month construction delay. The Little Lambs in Nakuru, Kenya, is now caring for 100+ orphans.

tear down the wall of t-shirts and end the stigma of AIDS now!

For 2017, the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation sponsored its 10th annual 5K AIDS / Cancer Run / Walk in America. We donated $92,500+ in cash, toys, clothing and toiletry/gift items  to people living with HIV and cancer and children in hospitals or from low income families. Most of the product was donated by DELIVERING GOOD in a partnership with TOYS R US and BABIES R US.  More specifically the organizations the Brodsky Foundation supported with cash donations were Angels on the Bay, Center of AIDS Research & Treatment at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital (NSUH), Client Advisory Board at (CART) at (NSUH), Cohen Childrens Medical Center of New York, Five Towns Community Center, Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Ronald McDonald House, and St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. Fast forward to 2023, see photo below…

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Pictured above, May 31, 2009, (left to right) Kate Murray, Town of Hempstead Supervisor presenting trophies to first place female finisher, Una Broderick and first place male finisher, Franklin Diaz; and Richard and Jodi Brodsky.

Pictured below is a Citation from Supervisor Kate Murray followed by a Citation from Nassau County Chief Executive Tom Suozzi acknowledging the 5k AIDS / Cancer Run / Walk and the work the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation is doing to improve the lives of people living with HIV and cancer.

I would especially like to extend my heartfelt thanks to six very much respected local politicians: Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and Nassau County Legislators Denise Ford, Laura Curran and Carrie Solages for their enthusiastic support of my work.

Nassau County Executive, Thomas R. Souzzi, and Richard Brodsky at the August 2nd, 2007 ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new two-mile Fitness trail at Eisenhower Park. The new trail is part of Tom Suozzi’s vision to make Nassau County the healthiest county in America by the year 2020.

If you cannot read the letter, click here.

 

If you cannot read the letter, click here.

 

If you cannot read the letter, click here.

My greatest wish continues to be for the youth of America to forego that spring break where partying, drinking, taking drugs and some unsafe sex surely occurs. How great America’s star would shine if the college crowd could be inspired to serve their country by helping impoverished groups in both America and Africa. I pray that the future leaders of our country will be able to inspire all Americans to be our brothers’ keepers.