JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there is a push to create better systems for treating the disease and passing along the right information.
In Jacksonville on Monday, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a legend in the sports world and one of the highest-profile patients, led the efforts in a town hall discussion.
He’s been “larger than life” for more than 40 years. First as an NBA legend, and then as a spokesperson.
“When it comes to HIV and AIDS, we all have to come together, every great HIV organization, throughout the state of Florida,” Johnson said.
Three decades ago, the Los Angeles Lakers star announced his retirement — shocked by his diagnosis and worried for his life.
His gratitude and his message now, is that there’s hope.
“What I’m hoping is that those who are living with HIV can be like myself,” Johnson said. “I mean I’ve been blessed 30 years this year. So we want, we know that you can live a long healthy life.”
Part of the reason for Johnson’s passion is the disproportionate impact HIV/AIDS has on African Americans.
Conversations like the one he led Monday, Johnson says, will make a difference.
“The misinformation that goes out into the Black and brown community, we can finally dispel that and get out the right information. And give them the right tools that can help out our community.”
Clear Health Alliance and Simply Healthcare Plans partnered on the event, trying to raise awareness.
The audience had 100 health care providers, community leaders and non-profit organizations, focused on best practices that led to prevention.
Johnson announced his diagnosis with HIV just before the 1991-92 NBA season, and then it seemed he had just pronounced his own death sentence.
He remains HIV-undetectable to this day.