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Magic Johnson
NBA Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur
You gotta do what your doctor tells you. You gotta go get checked to see if you have HIV.
Q: What was it like finding out you were HIV positive?
That day was a tough day. I flew back from Utah. Dr. Mellman brought me into his office and told me I had HIV. And, whew, man, you talkin' about devastation. It took me a while to pick myself off the ground. And the reason—because, Tavis, at that time, Cookie was pregnant with E.J.
Q. How do you get through the difficult times?
With [my wife Cookie] and my kids' support and then now going around the country talking to people about HIV and AIDS, with GSK, has been wonderful, man. Now I go into high schools, I go to community--we have group meetings in churches around the country. And I tell 'em my story and what I'm doing. So it's been a blessing, man.
After singularly changing the way basketball is played, Magic Johnson's magic is now focused on the business world. He continues to endear himself to people of all classes and races by spreading the message that you can manage HIV.
Related Episode
Recommended Web Sites
AIDS Info offers information on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and research.
Project Inform is a national, nonprofit, community-based organization working to end the AIDS epidemic.
Know HIV/AIDS has facts and local resources, including testing sites and organizations.
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Published: September 15, 2005
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