Magic Johnson Promotes HIV/AIDS Awareness, Testing in North Carolina

Former National Basketball Association player Earvin "Magic" Johnson on Wednesday discussed HIV/AIDS awareness to local church members in Charlotte, N.C., and students at Johnson C. Smith University, the Charlotte Observer/Bradenton Herald reports. Johnson -- as part of the "I Stand With Magic" campaign, launched by the Magic Johnson Foundation and the drug company Abbott -- has been urging the black community to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, be tested for HIV and practice safer sex. The goal is to reduce the number of new HIV cases in the black community by half in five years. Johnson -- who has had HIV for 15 years -- urged others living with the virus to follow their medication regimens, exercise, eat a healthy diet and maintain a positive attitude. He also commended black churches for participating in awareness efforts. "Five years ago, we wouldn't be here," Johnson said while speaking at the local church (Perlmutt, Charlotte Observer/Bradenton Herald, 3/1).