Every year, for the past seven years, the Brodsky’s have been travelling to Kenya to celebrate World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. They have sponsored several orphan dinner dances for more than 4,300 orphans and run in the Kisumu World AIDS Marathon. “I love going there because it gives me a good feeling and the orphans enjoy seeing us,” he said. “If I wasn’t doing this, I don’t know if I’d be alive. It gives me a sense of purpose.”
Garden City-based pediatrician Dr. Richard Satori has been travelling to Africa with the Brodsky’s for the past two years and has helped more than 130 children in two of the country’s orphanages. “We bought medication to help treat the children,” he said. “I felt there was a need and if there was something I could do to make a dent, I was going to do it. I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t change the world but I felt that we as individuals could make a dent.”
Following a suggestion from his brain oncologist, Brodsky established the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation in 2004 to help raise awareness about HIV testing and to serve as hope for others those living with HIV and cancer. The foundation has raised about $180,000 since its inception and has provided financial assistance to several local organizations such as the Five Towns Community Chest and 1 in 9 Hewlett House as well as hosted several running events each year throughout Nassau County, including in Cedar Creek Park in Seaford and Oceanside Park. “We need to continue to raise awareness so people get tested for HIV,” he said. “And I just want to be able to donate more money when we can.”
Despite the challenges he has faced in his life, Brodsky said he is grateful. “I’m very fortunate to have a loving wife and it feels great to be able to help people,” he said. “It feels like a million dollars to still be living and I cherish each day.”