About the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation
Mission Statement
The mission of the Foundation is to provide food, shelter and shoes for orphans living in Kenya, raise money for research for the cure or vaccine for AIDS, to help those already afflicted with AIDS, and to help those with brain cancer.
The Foundation’s Specific Goals
We have eight specific goals:
1. To provide food, shelter and shoes for orphans living in Kenya and to raise awareness there are
11,400,000+ orphans living in sub-Saharan Africa who need food, shelter, shoes, vaccinations, clean
drinking water, education and clothing.
2. To fund AIDS research at the University of Florida.
3. To urge the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp acknowledging that AIDS exists. A
portion of the money from each stamp sold could be donated towards finding the cure.
4. To help build up the AIDS infrastructure in Kenya by funding local projects and orphanages.
5. To provide AIDS medication to African mothers-to-be to reduce the infant mortality rate.
6. To fund research into finding a cure for brain cancer.
7. To support HIV-positive people and cancer survivors.
8. To raise awareness that HIV and brain cancer can be overcome by living a healthy, upbeat lifestyle, and to
thereby bring hope to those who have it.
Where The Money Will Go
Net proceeds from the Foundation’s fundraising
efforts will be distributed as follows:
The Foundation’s annual World AIDS Marathon: 100% to AIDS and cancer projects as noted on the
Projects We Support
webpage for Research, Living Aid and International.
The Foundation’s annual 5k / AIDS / Cancer / Run / Walk: 100% to AIDS and cancer projects as noted on the
Projects We
Support webpage for AIDS and Cancer Projects in Long Island, New York. Toiletry / gift items will be collected for
people living with HIV and / or cancer, and toys will be collected for children living with cancer.
How the Money Will Be Raised
In 2005, the main fundraising vehicle was the
2005 World AIDS Marathon / 5K Fun Walk, and
Conference/Exhibit in Gainesville, Florida. Funding for these events was sought from corporations, other
Foundations, individuals, race entry fees and fees to attend the conference/exhibit. To the largest extent
possible, donations of goods and services were also sought. The truth of the matter was that no money was raised
and the Event cost the Foundation money. For 2006 through 2008, three World AIDS Marathons did occur and money was
donated to almost all the charities listed on the Foundation website.
How and Why the Foundation Came Into Being
In 1997, Richard Brodsky was diagnosed HIV-positive, and began taking AIDS medication, which he
takes to this very day. In 2002, Richard suffered a seizure whose root cause turned out to be brain cancer
unrelated to his HIV). He then underwent months of treatment for that, recovering in time to run the 2003 New York
Marathon. Upon completing the Marathon, it occurred to him that he owed his life to the excellent medical care we
have here in the United States – and felt there was no good reason why people in poorer countries shouldn’t be
afforded the same type of care. Thus, the seeds of the Foundation were planted. Even though the Foundation had not
yet received its non-profit status, in 2004 Richard organized the World AIDS Marathon in Mbita, Kenya, whose
proceeds helped to partially fund an AIDS orphanage there.
For further details about the 2004 through 2008 Marathons and Richard, please use the links.
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