South Jersey resident and Lenape High School alumnus Kevin Todd was just 40 when he passed away in 1997 from complications of AIDS.
Two years later, Todd’s family started a non-profit organization — Spirit of the Holidays (SOTH) — to honor his memory and fulfill his wish to never be forgotten.
Since that time, Todd’s family, friends, and community members provided assistance around the holidays to HIV/AIDS-impacted patients and families in need.
Now, they will provide year-round assistance to support South Jersey patients with HIV/AIDS and their families though the newly established Kevin Todd Memorial Fund, managed by the Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey.
Todd’s family formally established the new fund by presenting a $10,000 check on March 28 to the foundation and longtime Jefferson physician and HIV/AIDS expert, Dr. David Condoluci, Senior VP and Chief Patient Safety & Quality Officer.
Jefferson officials describe Condoluci as a national expert and leading proponent in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and note that he is a founding member of both the Southern New Jersey Infectious Disease Society and the AIDS Coalition of Southern New Jersey.
From 1983 to 1994, he saw patients, including Todd, living with HIV and AIDS, and he treated patients dying of AIDS by primarily treating opportunistic infections and helping people pass on with dignity.
No one was turned away.
In 1989, Condoluci helped convene the first HIV Medical Update in Cherry Hill, aimed to build capacity in the South Jersey medical community to respond to the growing HIV epidemic.
For more information the newly established fund, visit www.kennedyisjefferson.org/giving.
