Abbott and the Magic Johnson Foundation Recognize World AIDS Day with Launch of New Program
On World AIDS Day, December 1st, Abbott and the Magic Johnson Foundation announced the launch of the "I Stand With Magic: Campaign to End Black AIDS” program. The goal of this effort is to reduce new HIV infections in the African-American community in the U.S. by 50 percent over the next five years. African Americans are affected by the disease at significantly higher rates than other groups, including 10 times more than Caucasians and nearly three times more than Hispanics.
According to a recent United Nations report, there are nearly 40 million people around the world living with HIV. Of that total, it is estimated that more than 4.3 million people were infected this year, and that nearly 3 million people have died of AIDS in 2006 – the most deaths in any single year.
As part of the program, Abbott and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the basketball great, businessman and philanthropist, will launch educational activities in the U.S. cities with the highest infection rates. A nationwide tour of schools and counseling centers already has begun, providing HIV testing, education and other resources for HIV-positive individuals. Community members are also encouraged to visit www.istandwithmagic.com to enroll in the program, get tested for HIV, and “stand” with Johnson and Abbott in the fight against the HIV epidemic in the African-American community.
Since its 2006 launch, the "I Stand With Magic" program, a part of the "Campaign to End Black AIDS," has provided free HIV/AIDS testing to more than 21,000 Americans in 16 major cities with large African-American populations as part of the "I Stand With Magic" tour. Additionally, the program has educated nearly 200,000 people about HIV, risk factors associated with the disease, the importance of HIV testing and how to care for yourself or someone you know living with the disease. More than 70,000 individuals have enrolled in the program in order to receive regular newsletters and communication from Magic Johnson about how to stay informed about the disease. Anyone who is personally impacted by HIV, is a caretaker of someone who is HIV positive or just wants to support the cause can enroll on the program’s Web site, www.istandwithmagic.com.
Through the "I Stand with Magic" program, Abbott and the Magic Johnson Foundation embarked on a 10-city tour of high schools and counseling centers across the nation to provide HIV testing, education and additional resources for HIV-positive individuals. In 2007, the campaign has visited almost 200 churches, high schools and colleges.
Cookie Johnson, the wife of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, is now touring the country with the "I Stand With Magic" program to educate minority women about HIV/AIDS and provide tools for prevention and testing. Cookie prides herself on being the first to ”stand” with Magic. In addition to Cookie, the program is extending an invitation to other prominent African-American prominent leaders to join the campaign.
Additional Information
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Press Release : December 1, 2007
Cookie Johnson and Abbott Bring "I Stand With Magic: Campaign to End Black AIDS" to Los Angeles to Educate African-American Women on HIV/AIDS
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Press Release : November 30, 2007
The Magic Johnson Foundation and Abbott Expand Focus of 'Campaign to End Black AIDS' to African-American Women in 2008 -
Minority
Women and HIV/AIDS: A Growing Crisis
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I Stand with
Magic 2007 Report Card
