In 1991, the Los Angeles Lakers
were at the top of their game and headed towards the NBA finals. The entire
team was overwhelmed with enthusiasm and dedication to win the title. For one
Laker, however, his life was about to be altered in a way he may have never
imagined. During the fall of 1991, the Lakers’ point guard, Magic Johnson, had
been diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, more commonly known as HIV.
Johnson is not the first celebrity
to be diagnosed with a life threatening disease, and he surely will not be the
last. What makes Johnson noteworthy, though, is what he has done since his life
was changed!
After Magic Johnson held a press
release explaining to his fans, as well as the world, that he has been
diagnosed with HIV, he started to receive gifts. Outside of encouragement and
support, a lot of the gifts were donations. Being that Magic Johnson was a
professional athlete and did not need the money, he decided to do something
amazing – build the Magic Johnson Foundation. Also known as MJF, the foundation
has contributed much to HIV and AIDS awareness. The entire foundation works
endlessly on grants for educational programs, providing HIV/AIDS prevention
basics, and creating Community Empowerment Centers.
Magic Johnson, being as famous as
he is, did not just stop after creating MJF. He continued to speak in open
forums to an array of groups. He addressed his diagnosis but put emphasis on
the many other great things in life. His speeches constantly reflect what it
means to be a hard worker and strive for success which have touched many
individuals who have listened. Johnson also wrote, “What You Can Do to Avoid
AIDS,” a educational book to help those affected.
Johnson and MJF have covered a lot
of ground since 1991. He was one of the first well-known individuals to come
forth about having HIV. Johnson really changed the game after announcing his
virus because, at that point, HIV was widely considered to be only in the gay,
white community or transmitted through intravenous drugs. Johnson’s diagnosis
changed that view, showing the world that anyone can contract HIV. Some
athletes and other critics were still very harsh on the Laker, claiming that he
should not play in the league.
Outside of the criticism, Johnson
has had a major affect on the view of the virus. MJF has been able to focus on
children by using Community Empowerment Centers to improve academics for 20,000
students and donated toys during holiday drives. The Foundation has also funded
almost $20 million to HIV grassroots organizations, scholarships, and
technology hardware and software grants. Magic and the foundation continue to
raise awareness and funds today.
Since the Magic Johnson Foundation
was founded in 1991, Magic Johnson has continued to speak out about HIV and
AIDS, persevered, and has helped many individuals affected by the virus
continue on with their lives..
(2014, January 1). Retrieved September 26, 2014, from http://magicjohnson.org
Chan, A. (2013, December 1). Magic Johnson On What Has Changed In HIV/AIDS Over The Last 20 Years. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/01/magic-johnson-hiv_n_4305110.html
Earvin Johnson Jr. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 08:12,
Sep 26, 2014, from http://www.biography.com/people/magic-johnson-9356150.
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