The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation sponsored its 19th annual World AIDS Marathon, half, 10 & 5K on World AIDS Day, on the Rockaway Boardwalk to honor the memory and accomplishments of the 43,000,000+ people who have died from AIDS. We then travelled to Kenya from December 5-14 to sponsor 5 orphan dinner dances and provided medical care for orphans, sponsored a concert and art lessons for special needs kids, a free 5K AIDS run/walk, and a Meet and Greet dinner with musical performances. We have the best time travelling to Kenya and helping the orphans, musicians, artists, special needs kids and runners. It has become a second home for Jodi and me. So much so that we have come up with a plan that we are hoping that NYC/Rockaway and Kenya’s Kisumu/Dunga can be sister cities.

I am pleased to say that at age 73-74, I will be running 4 or 5 marathons in 2025, #5 would be special if I get an invitation to run the Boston Marathon. I am also applying to have the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation approved as an official Boston Marathon charity so people can register to run the marathon that will raise funds and awareness for my Foundation. My job is to offer hope to people living with HIV and brain cancer that they can lead healthy productive lives if they have access to medical care, medicine, and lead an upbeat, healthy lifestyle. According to the Internet there are no other marathon runners living with HIV and brain cancer. I can only be successful in helping others with your help and my wife’s love. Jodi has promised to run a marathon with me for my 100th birthday. I do think it is likely and it is even more likely if I believe it is possible. On the other hand, how likely would it be if I said there is no chance I will run a marathon for my 100th birthday. Positive thinking rules! I have purchased extra 2025 World AIDS Marathon short sleeve t-shirts painted by Kenyan artist Lewis Oichoe. For a $100 donation, I can send you the 2025 World AIDS Marathon t-shirt. The shirts run long and are great for dancing in.

2025 World AIDS Day was Monday, December 1, and we had 120 registrants, live and virtual. Northwell Health had the most registrations and $500 was donated to the team that had the most registration dollars. 2nd & 3rd place prizes were awarded to Rosie’s Theatre Kids and Lustgarten Foundation. The highlights of the trip were 1) this was the first year we sponsored a 5th orphan dinner dance and 2) we spent more money on medicine than ever before; we normally spend about $500 - $600. This year we spent $1,100; doctors even if you cannot join us in Kenya, please support us with a donation.

We have also initiated a program for 2026 where we will be providing bread to local schools while school is in session and our team is not fully present. Richard M. Brodsky board member Kevi Ong’uti Momanyi and Ignatious Walter Oluoch are organizing these monthly events, and we are partnering with Dr. Hanif Gilani and Sunblest Bakery.

I am also now a proud member of KIWANIS and I joined the local chapter KIWANIS of the Rockaways, because that is where the only marathon in North America on World AIDS Day takes place and the local chapter has been very supportive.

World AIDS Marathon t-shirts designed by Kenyan artist Lewis Oichoe

Richard, Jameelah, and Melissa traveled to Amboseli National Park after the 8 events the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation sponsored in Kenya. These 3 Americans were likely the last few Americans to see the legendary 54 year old elephant Craig alive, one of the oldest black super tuskers in the world; a tribute to Kenya Wildlife Service and Maasai tribe for watching over Craig and protecting him from poachers who kill elephants and sell their ivory tusks. Story continues further down page. BUT THE JOY KENYA BRINGS TO OUR WORLD, you can only experience LIVE FROM KENYA. Look at these 3 faces for proof!

IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR KENYA, BUT WHAT CAN KENYA DO FOR THE WORLD. We traveled as a group of 6 to Kenya. Jameelah Aziz, Dr. Richard Sartori and nurse Melissa each stayed a few days longer. More about their stories further down the page; enjoy our daily journey. Jameelah is providing funds for these Kenyan boys to get the best education possible. Boys (l to r) are entering grades 9, 8 and 7 in 2026.

120 people registered for the live and virtual marathon, half marathon, 10 and 5K on World AIDS Day, Rockaway boardwalk. Race results can be viewed here. 5K winners m/f were Jerry Francois 18:01 and Ruth Hunter 26:30, 10K winners m/f were Rob Tetrault 41:43:10 and Taya Fure 1:01:12, half marathon winners m/f were Russel Ramos 1:36:04 and Susan Ghwon 2:14:01, and full marathon winners m/f were Phil Marcoux 3:08:14 and Elizabeth Rosario 3:15:42. BIG SHOUTOUT TO ROB TETRAULT (bib 4, running next to me bib 1) OF MANITOBA, CANADA for bringing a team of 7 Canadians. Read More about Rob's amazing charitable-marathon-running journey. Pictured below is Rob with Richard M. Brodsky Foundation Baord Member Jacqueline Seltzer

Proceeds from the event benefitted, Campaign Against Hunger, Harmony HealthCare Long Island and the charitable work the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation does in Kenya. In addition three donations of $500, $400 and $300 each were made to Northwell Health Center of AIDS Research & Treatment Client Advisory Board, Rosie's Theater Kids and Lustgarten Foundation. An extra $100 was given to Lustgarten because Barry Lipsky, a Bohemia Track Club member provided EMT services. These donations were made to the three teams which had the most registration dollars. Thank you St. John's Episcopal Hospital for providing blood sugar monitoring for diabetes and basic health info to anyone who visited your mobile testing van Photo above l to r, Antonio Handy, Health Coach; Rose Guerrier, Manager of Partnerships & Community Relations; and Helen Montero, Community Health Manager. I apologize this was last year's photo but they did help out again on World AIDS Day 2025.

Photo by Roger Woo, Click Here to view all Roger's photos.

Great Neck North High School AIDS Awareness Club headed up by faculty advisor Dr. Anton Berzins brought a team of 40 volunteers to cheer the runners.

Thanks Bob Clasen and Pamela Brown for handling registration.

Thank you KIWANIS OF THE ROCKAWAYS for serving as particpants, sponsors and volunteers. Jason & Teresa Morales finished the 5K and volunteers Dolores Orr and MaryAnn Nellen served water and Gatorade. Thanks Michael Gliner, Sheldon Soloway, Yolanda Robano Gross, and Michaelene Abbott-Cooper of other local KIWANIS groups for your continuous support.

To all those who come to my race to run or volunteer, you are treated like family and friends. Hope you enjoyed the butternut squash and beets that I made, fresh fruit from Keyfood East of Long Beach, a hero from Tamburino's of Cedarhurst, Starbucks coffee, and muffins, pastries and bagels from All Round Foods. I messed up and Pantano's of Uniondale donated a platter of French toast and blueberries but somehow it did not get picked up. Thanks Lyndell Senior of Ridgwood Savings Bank of Baldwin for picking up coffee at Starbucks.

Photo by Kathy Lord Nicolosi, to view all Kathy's photos, click here.

These marathons do not get any easier. I'm 73 and Jodi is 71. We finished in 5:51:53 and 5:52:11. Good thing we were there for each other. I'm HIV+ a brain cancer survivor since 1997 and 2002; I ran 5 marathons in 2024, 3 in 2025 + a half marathon, This was Jodi's 112th marathon

Graphic design by Jacqueline Seltzer

Jerry Francois and Jodi Brodsky go back a long way. Jerry gives credit to Jodi for encouraging him to run his 1st marathon and now he heads up the Goldfinger Track Club of Brooklyn.

Photo by Colin Goedecke, to view all his photos click here.

Left to Right: Pastor Paul's wife Vivian Ochieng, Pastor Paul Ochieng: Board Members of Richard M. Brodsky Foundation - Kevin Ong'uti Momanyi, Richard Brodsky and Dr. Richard Sartori, more commonly known as the brain trust.

Party time at Pastor Paul's Word Academy

So much love in the mom's eyes. Dr. Richard Sartori examined and treated 26 orphans + 12 caretakers were examined by Nurse Norah. Nurse Melissa & Norah assisted and gave medicine. Terry Doyle, a retireds US veteran and reflexologist provided 12 foot massages mostly to elderly caretakers.

296 orphans, volunteers and elderly people dined and danced at Pastor Paul's Word Academy. Jameelah Aziz & friends donated 100 pounds of clothing.

250 kids, support staff, elders & friends dined & danced. These events are only possible thanks to our sponsors and the organizational skills of Kenyan board member Kevin Ong'uti Momanyi (pictured center above) and Ignatious (not in photo).

Terry Doyle provided 22 foot massages mostly for the elderly. Jameelah Aziz & friends donated 100 pounds of clothing

Jodi Brodsky and Carolyn Kandere dancing with the kids

Dr. Richard Sartori examined 50 kids & nurse Melissa and Emma assisted and gave medicine.

Ignatious Walter Oluoch is pictured on left and Jameelah Aziz is in green dress on right. Without Ignatious these events could not happen. Thanks Jameelah for donating 100 pounds of clothing at each orphan dinner dance.

70 orphans dined & danced at Mama Sarah's home, President Obama's Kenyan grandmother. Mama Sarah's daughter Marsat Onyango now runs the Foundation. Serving food right to left is Kevin, Carolyn, Jameelah, Jodi, Richard and Ignatious

Dr. Sartori examined 39 kids and nurses Melissa and Emma assisted and gave out medicine. Terry Doyle gave 12 foot massages.

320 orphans dined and danced.

Terry Doyle gave 22 foot massages.

Jameelah Aziz donated 100 pounds of clothing & shoes

Dr. Richard Sartori examined 64 orphans and Nurse Norah examined 28 adults. Nurse Melissa assisted Dr. Sartori. Sadly these kids needed a lot more medicine. Dr. Sartori was very generous and donated $500 for meds but the price turned out to be $1,100.

It has to be overwhelming for one doctor to examine 200+ orphans with life-threatening illnesses including malaria, parasites and tinea. If any doctor wishes they could have been with us in Kenya to help, they can still help out by making a donation for medicine, by CLICKING HERE.

The artists agreed to paint a dancer this year to honor a dear friend and supporter Estella Clasen and her husband Bob won many dance competitions in America. Photo below is Maurice Opiyo (one of four art tutors, shown above are artists Edward Orato, Andrew Omari, and George Omondi Odongo) These four artists are super-talented. Lunch for the artists and 52 kids (some are special needs kids), 12 volunteers, 6 Americans and 40 friends & neighbors.

In Kenya, there are no fences unless you have animals so when Eunice Owino hosts an event, all the neighbors show up, but that is a good thing, cause many of them have wood tree limbs which they use to cook their food in pots outside. Eunice had to go to the market or a funeral, there are way too many funerals in Kenya. The kids were done with the art lessons and they needed to be entertained and there were wood sticks on a neighbor's property which I borrowed. Carolyn Kandere taught me this cool game. Five or six people each hold a stick and when the MC, that was me, yells 'ANGUSHA" that means drop. Each of the players holding their stick drops the stick and each player runs clockwise to catch the stick of the neighboring player who just dropped their stick. If you do not catch the stick, you are out! Last player holding the stick wins! I even added 100 kenyashillings in prize money which is about 80 cents but 80 cents buys a lot more groceries in Kenya than America. For example, a loaf of bread cost 50 cents in Kenya and $5 in America.

The start of 5K is at Dunga Point overlooking Lake Victoria. The t-shirt is always painted by a Kenyan artist. Lewis Oichoe did the painting and the t-shirt company, USA Racing, enlarges the painting so the entire shirt becomes the painting. I tell the new artist every year that I want to see Lake Victoria, animals, trees, birds and runners running along Lake Victoria. Boy, did Lewis nail it this year, or you can be the judge. We still have t-shirts which can be mailed to anyone in USA or Canada for a $100 donation.

78 runners regisitered and 10 volunteers assisted. Everyone received a t-shirt and matching medal.

Fun running with animals

The award ceremony was held in a fabulous venue with dancing and snacks. Our hosts Millycent and Erick Yego. I asked Erick how come he was so generous and offered his family's home for the venue. He said he likes people. He really does and the venue was actually a bar and restaurant on his property which will be opening in April, 2026. The chairs, benches, tables and bar was all constructed by Millycent's dad. As an Architect, I can say the craftsmanship is impeccable. All participants received a medal designed by STRIDE AWARDS of Rhode Island, USA and 65 medals were donated by STRIDE. Both the t-shirt vendor and STRIDE were given a photo of the painting and there are a few differences which makes the medal and shirt equally appealing!

Jodi and the girls dancing I had this idea and Hanif Gilani, the owner of the Kisumu Imperial Express and Mayfair Bakery agreed to donate 50 loaves of bread and the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation donated another 50 loaves to Lela Comprehensive School. We did this several times and Ignatious Walter Oluoch picked up the breads and delivered them to Lela where he teaches. It cost my Foundation $25 each time we delivered the 100 loaves. In America 100 loaves of bread would cost $500. You can see we post the donation on FACEBOOK, see photo above. I will be asking Erick Yego, the host of the award festivities at the 5K run if he could make the $25 donation about 8 times a year. This could be great publciity for his upcoming restaurant plus he already knows Hanif Gilani. These bread donations would occur for a special event such as Learners Day or a sports activity. If anyone else is interested in making a monthly donation of $25, i.e. youghurt, that is matched by another donor or me, please contact me. I like this idea a lot so we can continue helping Kenya on a year round basis and not just for 10 days in December.

We are not touching the zebras. If we were, this would be our last photo. Zebras have a powerful kick.

Please don't pee on me!

I'd rather be an ostrich if I can't pee on Richard

This tortoise may well live to be over 100+ years. What's his secret!

After the 5K we visited Kisumu Impala Sanctuary. We had the same guide, Solomon, as last year. Kenyans have the best smiles. Maybe they are just happier cause their life is simpler. Our hotel, the Kisumu Imperial Express is 2 miles to the Sanctuary and another 2 miles to Dunga Point, the start of the marathon. Pictured left to right: Nurse Melissa, Reflexologist Terry Doyle, Jodi, Solomon and Richard.

Kisumu Impala Sanctuary faces Lake Victoria and it is every bit as romantic and more than you ever imagined!

Jodi is dancing with DJ Stevejenrtix Sing and other dancers Joseph Omondi Juma wearing World AIDS Marathon t-shirt, standing at top of photo is the manger of Kisumukids Africadancerskenya. Eunice Owino, host, is wearing the Estella Clasen Memorial t-shirt. Estella and Bob Clasen won many dance competitions in America. They were both generous supporters for the orphan dinner dances. Sadly Estella died in 2025 from pancreatic cancer. There is a German proverb that a person dies twice. Once when they die and the second time when people stop talking about them. Estella will live forever.

Gabiro MTU Necessary performing with Kisumu Kids Africa Dancers Kenya. 275 orphans dined and danced and notably absent was Gloria, a special needs child who has always been at these events. Gloria is having a difficult time and there are very few programs available in Kenya to help special needs kids. We will be applying for a grant specifically for special needs kids.

Dr. Sartori examined 35 orphans and Dr. Conrad examined 20 adults. Nurses Melissa and Emma assisted and administered medicine. Terry Doyle gave 22 foot massages.

Kisumu Kids Africa Kenya Dancers and DJ Steve Jentrix provided music and dancing.

Which of these boys (photo from a few years earlier) will discover the cure for AIDS, which will teach the world to find kindness and love, and may they all teach the world to smile. These are the three boys Jameelah recognizes to be future great successes in life; my money is on Jameelah and providing the best education for these boys will improve our world. Says Jameelah, "I pay for the boys school. For the past two years, it was just Felix and Stanley but this year I'll do the same for David. David is 13 going into grade 9, Felix is 12 going into grade 8 and Stanley is 10 going into grade 7. The boys attend Word Academy and Disciples of Mercy in Kisumu that is possible only because I sponsor them." Jameelah further clarified as best she could about the parents. Some of the details are too personal but they are all cared for Pastor Paul Ochieng. Jameelah did take the boys on a short excursion to Rusinga Island, but this was, "to reward them for their academic achievements and chose an excursion as an opportunity to expose them to different things as they navigate adolescence." But this excursion was very incidental and the education is far more important according to Jameelah. It seems like a complete circle. I am not sure if Jameelah knew the original World AIDS Marathon was held on Rusinga Island in 2004. I thought we could have raised more money by having the World AIDS Marathon in America; I was wrong. In 2006, the World Health Organization issued a report stating that only two countries in Africa reduced the rate of HIV/AIDS cases from Dec. 2003 to Dec 2005 and Kenya was one of the two. A month later we were invited to join the Kisumu World AIDS Marathon Group and we have returned to Kenya every year since 2006 except for one year due to COVID-19.

I asked Richard Sartori how he felt about Craig and his passing just a few weeks after seeing him. After all, this was Rich's 3rd visit to visit Craig at his home, Amboseli Park, and not an easy place to reach. Says Rich reflecting back to 2023, "We had been on safari for three days. We had seen plenty of elephants, on the last day, Mulanti, our guide and my friend, mentioned something about going back and looking for Craig while he was outside the park. I had no idea who Craig was nor did I particularly care. We never went out to find him. "Throughout the year I had seen some FACEBOOK stories about Craig the elephant. I became fascinated by this 52 year old, asymmetry of his tusks and as gentle as a puppy. I felt a bond and knew I had to be in his presence. "During the week before we flew to Amboseli, Mulanti had his Maasai scout friends looking out for Craig. "We had only one day to travel to Amboseli and after lunch we went out to find the big docile creature. We followed Mulanti's friend who was on a motorcycle into the brush. "When we came upon the big boy I knew I was in the right moment in time. We were eye to eye as he continued grazing, not bothered by our presence. I was at peace; I was where I was supposed to be. "Whenever people see my photos from Kenya, everyone says I look so happy. This was different; this was spiritual. "Anyone who doubts God exists should get eye to eye with a big Tusker. Or any of the other miracles on this planet. We are blessed. "Craig passed from what sounds like the elephant equilavent of 'the bloat' in dogs. He passed about two weeks after our encounter. Maybe he waited for me. God blesses all God's innocent creatures. Always in our hearts." The End.

I found her cheery face at 7:15 AM at Dunga Point, start of 5K Visiting one of the artists stalls at Masai Market

Almost as fast as a Cheetah, the fastest animal in the world; 5K runner in Dunga

New Hyde Park and Massapequa Run Club t-shirts worn by Kenyan runners at the Dunga 5K. Wouldn't it be great if this little guy could teach us all to find joy!

Kenyan scavangers eating trash at start of 5K at Dunga Point. Just another chance to say 'I DO' again after 45 years of marriage and seeing my wife smile. Hardest part was yanking off the ring I gave her 3 years ago at the same place.