   |
|
|
|
|
| First HIV-Positive Runner With Terminal Brain Cancer to Enter the NYC Marathon<
Author Richard M. Brodsky, the first HIV-positive entrant with terminal brain cancer to run the NYC Marathon, will enter the November 2 race with his wife, Jodi, and his brain oncologist. Here's why: First, Brodsky wants to help raise awareness that HIV-positive people can live healthy, productive lives providing they have access to AIDS medicines and lead a healthy lifestyle. To him, it is unconscionable that 8,000 people are dying from AIDS each day from lack of AIDS medications. BizVantage – All the Net, all the time, just for you. Second, if a person has contracted a fatal illness, it's now more important than ever for them to exercise their mind and body and not let the illness control their life. Write, climb that mountain, parachute from the sky; it's your life. "Live it, live it like there's no tomorrow" is his doctrine. Third, sharing in Brodsky's story is his wife, upon which his book "Jodi, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told" was written -- the ultimate gift that Brodsky can leave her. Having to tell her that he was bisexual and HIV-positive was, well... those are the stories that movies are made of. The stigma of AIDS would not dictate the lives of this family. His middle daughter recently graduated high school and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed," a testament to the love shared by all and one family's dedication to battling these hardships together. "Why is AIDS not destroying this family? How can my family's story serve as an example for our government to realize that AIDS does not have to be a death sentence?" he asks. "AIDS sufferers should not be losing their dignity, especially at a time when they most need acceptance and support." Lending their corporate support to the Brodskys' story of how to live productive lives with AIDS and brain cancer have been Hilton Hotels and JetBlue Airways. Both companies have been providing free rooms and transportation when the Brodskys travel. However, Brodsky's main concern at present is to focus on beating AIDS and his recently diagnosed brain cancer, and running the 2003 NYC Marathon. How will the final scene be written? Hopefully Brodsky will be the first HIV-positive runner with terminal brain cancer to complete the Marathon. Otherwise, the story of a widow named Jodi who stood by her man just might prove to be the greatest love story ever told. Is Hollywood listening? Richard M. Brodsky www.trebloon.com
|
