M. Brodsky Foundation appoints AIDS researcher to its Board

[Guest guest]

World AIDs Marathon 2005 M. Brodsky Foundation

Gainesville, FL 1247 Mara Court, Atlantic Beach, NY 11509

Contact: Sasha H. Muradali

Public Relations

Phone: (305) 498 - 5000

Email: SashaHalima@...

UF Researcher Appointed to Board of AIDS Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GAINESVILLE, FL –

JUNE 3, 2005

Dr. Janet K. Yamamoto, a pathobiology professor at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been appointed to the M. Brodsky Foundation’s board of directors. Dr. Yamamoto’s cutting edge research on the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) has led to the first FIV vaccine. This research could one day lead to a vaccine for humans infected with the HIV/AIDs virus.

The M. Brodsky Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by M. Brodsky, an HIV and brain cancer patient, who saw the need to raise further awareness about AIDS. The architect turned author (2002’s Jodi, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told) once said, "There is no greater joy than raising and then giving away money to those in need. It's fun and rewarding." Proceeds from Brodsky’s 2004 World AIDS Marathon in Kenya – which included a grant from Pfizer – in combination with funds from PlanetPoz are funding the 50-bed Little Lambs orphanage in Nakuru, Kenya. The orphanage will care for and educate 50 orphans. There are an estimated 14,000,000 orphans in Africa, many of whom have lost one or both parents to AIDS.

On December 3rd and 4th 2005 the foundation will be bringing its marathon, seminar, and art exhibition to Gainesville, in commemoration of World AIDS Day, which is December 1st. Proceeds from December’s marathon will be going to UF’s AIDS program with a concentration in pediatric AIDS.

The state of Florida is 2nd in pediatric AIDS cases, and 3rd in adult AIDS cases in the United States. Dr. Yamamoto stresses that the fact that, “just because there are medications on the market to treat HIV/AIDS, does not mean that there is a cure. Awareness has dropped in the United States and it’s imperative that the public realizes that this is not a foreign issue.†HIV/AIDS still very much exists here in America, and will not go away until a cure is found.

Dr. Yamamoto is also a director on the “Creating Hope International†board, a Michigan-based organization aiding women and children in Afghanistan with healthcare and education.

For more information please visit http://www.worldaidsmarathon.com