For Brudnoy near death, a report filled with hope

The tables had turned a bit during their last meeting. Standing by David Brudnoy's hospital bed days before his death, Dr. Bruce Walker found himself attempting to express to the artful communicator the magnificence he had recently witnessed in a New York City school gym. The director of the Partners AIDS Research Center who oversees the research fund Brudnoy established a decade ago took a break from his duties at Mass. General Hospital last Tuesday to recall his final exchange with the radio personality.

Brudnoy knew well the group at the heart of the scene. He had heard Sinikithemba, all of whose members are HIV-positive, perform their uplifting songs in their hometown of Durban, South Africa, as well as on these shores. He had to rely on Walker, though, for a sense of what happened when the students of the Professional Performing Arts School opened their gymnasium to the choir.

Walker told Brudnoy about an "unbelievable energy and connection." He mentioned the standing ovations that followed each song. He expressed his delight hearing the students sing for the choir. He described the concert's crowning moment: the choir teaching the students a traditional Zulu song, which they then sang in unison.

Brudnoy smiled his appreciation, as the doctor continued.

Walker also told Brudnoy about the poignant Q-and-A that followed the music, saying he had witnessed the life stories of these choir members make an impression on the students. He said their message of "prevention, empowerment, responsibility, and compassion" was clear.

What Walker did not have to tell Brudnoy was that a number of members in the choir were alive today because of the treatment made available by money from the David Brudnoy Fund for AIDS Research.

Nor did he have to explain that the meaning of Sinikithemba is "we give hope."