Quick Answer: How Is Magic Johnson Still Alive - Nohockeylockout She was also pregnant with their first child when Johnson learned of his diagnosis. But thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic (and due to knee injuries from his playing years), he has switched to powering walking with his wife five days a week. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Magic Johnson Sets Record Straight On His HIV Status - NewsOne r/AskReddit - How in the world is Magic Johnson still alive and We as African Americans have to do a better job. Starting in the '90s, the company invested in and formed partnerships with major companies like Sony Pictures and Starbucks to help bring movie theaters and Starbucks to underserved communities. Magic would not have been the man he is today without his mother and he knows that. He is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time. Then I slept with my basketball," he told USA Weekend. "I dribbled to the store with my right hand and back with my left. Johnson first learned of his diagnosis after a routine physical ahead of the 1991-92 NBA season. How come Magic Johnson is still alive? MILLIONS died of HIV/AIDS during But 30 years later, the NBA legend is still pursuing his passions, with Cookie by his side. In the days that followed, sadness, shock and admiration coalesced as fans absorbed the news that even Magic was not invincible in the face of this epidemic. You think it can only happen to other people. Weve all played our whole life on the playgrounds and in pickup games without fans being there. Decorated Vietnam veteran Leonard Matlovich, who had appeared on the cover of TIME in 1975 above the words I Am a Homosexual in his bid to challenge his discharge from the Air Force, died in 1988. "The reason Im still living is early detection," Johnson said Thursday on CNN. Magic Johnson and wife Cookie Johnson arrive at the 2014 Carousel of Hope Ball on October 11, 2014. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe. It also took years of education to reinforce the fact that HIV is not spread through casual contact, a fear that had arisen among other players when Johnson played again in the 1990s. How are people cured of HIV? That allows Johnson to get in a half hour of "just me time," which he uses to think about and prep for what he has to accomplish that day. Click to reveal He prays and has a positive attitude. The first enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, turns the virus' genetic instructions encoded in a single RNA strand into double-stranded DNA. The Impact of Magic Johnson's HIV Disclosure, 30 Years On AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. The second enzyme, known as protease, creates new, functional HIV particles by cutting up the proteins produced by our hijacked cellular machinery. he told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King. Until that happens, professional sports leagues mightnot be equipped to return to play. Magic Johnson - Son, Stats & Wife Live Science. So we wont be talking about this hopefully in the next five years.". "African Americans are leading in terms of dying from the coronavirus and most of them in the hospital are African American, Johnson said. The average time between infection with HIV and the development of AIDS is 10 years (it can be much shorter; I had AIDS when I received my HIV diagnosis and had been positive no longer than 8 months at that point). But that's really the only regret I have.". "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic Johnson said. Theres been a much more mainstream dialogue around HIV since his diagnosis. However the July 2023 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. While Johnson can now attest to 30 years of life after being diagnosed with HIV, his journey living with the disease has been far from easy. But some small number remain, and over time, those HIV cells replicate, attacking the immune system in seven stages, according to the National Institute of Health's HIV info page. At 15, he earned the nicknamed "Magic" by a local sports writer after he scored36 points, 18 rebounds and 16 assists in one gameto help his team get to the state championship. One of the most important contributions Johnson has made to people with HIV is making people more aware and understanding of the virus. "I spend all my time working and with my family. In many ways, he already was. For many of them, what was once a harbinger of sickness and death can now be a chronic and manageable illness when suppressed by antiretroviral medications. Magic's dad wore a green Nike T-shirt with a Spartan soldier helmet printed on it. He said his dad loves Michigan State University, so they had a Spartan-themed birthday for him that was complete with yummy delicacies. On Sunday, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and his family celebrated his father Earvin Johnson Sr.'s 87th birthday in grand style. 1 pick in the NBA. President Ronald Reagan did not mention the virus publicly for four years after it emerged; his first major speech about AIDS came in 1987. "The problem is people want us to drive to suburban America to get that test. Still, federal funding rose sharply from the early 1990s onward, which helped enable breakthroughs in treatment. And while his HIV is still undetectable, he must take his medication everyday. If the prices come down, then I think youre going to see African Americans be a lot healthier.". Magic Johnson reveals during a press conference that he has the HIV virus. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax. This was a man who was on the short list of the greatest basketball players of all time, with a megawatt smile. (Image credit: Focus On Sport / Contributor via Getty Images), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 amazing health stories you may have missed in 2021, How mental health affects physical health, Fathers Day Science gift guide: Perfect gifts for science-loving dads, What is SPF? in that he was probably diagnosed fairly soon after infection and had the financial ability to pursue very bright doctors and very useful, possibly experimental, treatments. On Nov. 8, 1991, the day after the Los Angeles Lakers star announced he had been diagnosed with the virus, Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Many people [diagnosed] with HIV live many years with few serious effects on their health. He grew up as part of a big family of nine other siblings living in a triple bedroom home in Lansing, Michigan. You can check out more of his work at www.adamhadhazy.com. Adam Hadhazy is a contributing writer for Live Science and Space.com. The tangible effect of his announcement was immediate. Think of the HIV virus like how society was like back in the beginning of 2020, when our health community were still ignorant to how COVID-19 transmitted. He was called back home from a pre-season game in Utah, so that Lakers team physician Dr. Michael Mellman could deliver the news in person. Even though Johnson had not played a single regular season game, fans voted him onto the NBA All-Star team in 1992. How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV? - MSN "I put it on my knees and my lower back after I'm done." Magic was born in 1959 to Christine and Earvin Sr. But only if everybody is safe.". For these people, being rich & famous was not a reason to why they are still alive today - and many of them watched their entire social circle die to HIV/AIDs. "Were hardworking people," Johnson said. "As we talk today, right now, I'm thinking, 'Wow' its been 30 years and I'm still here, healthy. Magic Johnson opens up about his health, career 30 years after HIV Eventually, Magics hard work paid off since he was a star during his time at Michigan State and became a bonafide legend while playing for the Lakers. The former LA Lakers star shared a picture on Twitter showing him posing with his dad and mom, Christine Johnson. EJ is a popular television personality, and social media sensation, who came out as gay in 2013, a process he said was not easy. Do not reproduce (even with permission). Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "We have to do a better job as African Americans to follow social distancing, stay at home and make sure we educate our loved ones and our family members and do what were supposed to do to keep safe and healthy. "Until we come up with some drugs that can prolong life and help people beat the virus, were going to continue to have people passing away," Johnson said. [3] [4] [5] [6] Johnson played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Earvin, a Mississippi sharecropper died at the age of 88. And I will," Johnson wrote. Oh my Lord, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Christines faith was instrumental while dealing with the crisis. He would sit on the couch and watch the Lakers play, thinking, "I should be there," he recalls. "Yes, because I was scared to death," he said. (Image credit: Science Photo Library - SCIEPRO via Getty Images). Magic Johnson has remained a central part of the Lakers franchise in his life since, serving as a coach and executive, as well as a player when he came out of retirement for the 1996 season. So they thought you couldn't touch people, you couldn't hug people," she said. Thankfully, the Former Lakers star is alive and well. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. But today, thanks to advancements in antiretroviral drugs, the life expectancy of a young person diagnosed with HIV is not dissimilar from that of a similarly aged person without HIV, according to Healthline. "I wanted to make sure that she was gonna be OK, the baby was gonna be OK, and then I could move forward with trying to make sure I was gonna be OK.". (The virus was never transmitted to Cookie or the baby.). Magic Johnson Death Fact Check, Birthday & Age During the life cycle of the virus, HIV integrates into the host DNA. By taking the right regimen every day, most people living with HIV can see the number of virus particles in a sample of their blood, or viral load, become undetectably low. Johnson on the other hand was apparently diagnosed with HIV before he developed symptoms. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. / CBS News. It is precisely these kinds of drugs that have helped Magic Johnson manage the disease and have made HIV a chronic health condition rather than a fatal disease. "You just sit there and say, what does this mean? Magic Johnson Revels in Life at Age 60 | Newsmax.com There is no cure for AIDS, why is Magic Johnson still alive after 31 Johnson said it was a huge relief when his wife's and baby's test results came back negative. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. The day after he told the world, the Associated Press reported, people talked and cried and thought about little else. Having such a beloved public figure reveal his HIV infection, Fauci says, really jolted people into a much more empathetic view towards people who were living with HIV.. David Ho, Johnsons physician and one of the preeminent doctors in the AIDS research community, is credited for coming up with the "cocktail" mixtures of protease inhibitors. The human immunodeficiency virus was widely thought to be one that avoided heterosexuals who werent using dirty needles. My life will go on.. Why is Magic Johnson still able to be alive with the AIDS virus Inside Magic Johnson's daily routine at 60 Magic Johnson dead 2023 : Former Lakers star killed by After being drafted as the first round draft pick in 1979 and winning five titles in his first eight years at the NBA, Johnson shocked the sports world when he announced that he was HIV positive in 1991. On Sunday, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and his family celebrated his father Earvin Johnson Sr.'s 87th birthday in grand style. Thats just a fact and you cant run away from that.. That is all ultimately rooted, when you talk about social determinants of health, in the smoldering and inherent and persistent racism in our society, Fauci continues. Nov 6, 2021. In his rookie season, Magic Johnson won the NBA championship and was elected finals MVP, creating a new history in the NBA. Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Famous Athletes Black History Magic Johnson Earvin "Magic" Johnson dominated the court as one of the world's best basketball players for more than a decade. Magic Johnson Sets Record Straight On His HIV Status. (read more), Magic Johnson death hoax spreads on Facebook. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at A Division of NBC Universal, Inside Magic Johnson's daily routine at 60, 31-year-old makes $105,000 a month in passive income from, her side hustle: 'I work just 2 hours a day', 26-year-old lives on $27K in Seattle: I'm, led the Lakers to five NBA Championships wins, 36 points, 18 rebounds and 16 assists in one game. However, thanks to advancements in antiretroviral drugs and management of the condition, the 63-year-old continues to thrive in his roles as a sports analyst, businessman and HIV activist more than 30 years later. How is Magic Johnson still alive? Where Are Magic Johnson Parents Now In 2022? The Legends! He also said Earvin Sr. worked so hard to allow his children to follow their paths to success. Magazines, Digital The film star Rock Hudson, one of the first major celebrities to acknowledge that he had AIDS, died in 1985; just weeks after Johnsons announcement, Queen singer Freddie Mercury died of AIDS-related complications. "I ended it the way I wanted it to end.". | Photo: Getty Images. Magic Johnson: the NBA superstar who smashed HIV stigma - The Guardian November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM / CBS News When Magic Johnson's iconic basketball career was interrupted by a stunning HIV diagnosis three decades ago, the newlywed NBA legend had no idea how much. Magic Johnson is Highest-Paid Basketball player in the World, Magic Johnson Named Sexiest Basketball player Alive. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Furthermore, a low viral load severely reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Magic Johnsons decision to retire from basketball, Magic Johnson's Electrifying Return to the NBA. "I don't look back that much at all, and I don't spend a lot of time on regrets," Johnson said. After that, his focus finally began to shift. I don't know who this is. He also wrote: "All of my brothers and sisters, Cookie, my brother's wife Jennifer and over 70 grandkids, great grands, and great great grands came out to celebrate with him. "I said that because I had tested HIV-positive, I was retiring from the NBA. But while Johnson and many others are able to manage their condition, many others are not as fortunate. He often writes about physics, psychology, animal behavior and story topics in general that explore the blurring line between today's science fiction and tomorrow's science fact. So how could Johnson possibly be infected? In a reported interview, EJ and Cookie said Magic did not take the news of his coming out well initially but had a heart-to-heart talk with his son later. "LeBron is right. Johnson has been proved correct for just over 29 years and counting. In the years that followed, Johnson was extremely fortunate in being able to live with and manage the virus with treatments available at the time, in particular before the 1996 release of a potent triple-combination therapy that has prolonged the lives of many with HIV, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. So, if youre wondering how they helped their son as a child and where they might be today, weve got you covered. These "long-term nonprogressors" or "elite controllers," estimated at as few as one in 500, have lived for decades with HIV, despite not being on antiretroviral therapy. Magic, who used to play with his father down the street, always wanted to beat him growing up. (And Johnson himself criticized his successor, President George H.W. Magic's wife, Cookie Johnson, also shared pictures from her father-in-law's birthday bash on her Instagram page. HIV is now considered a chronic health condition that can be managed with the right drugs and a healthy lifestyle. 9 comments share save hide report 100% Upvoted This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast Sort by best level 1 9 years ago Not for many years now. This latency of HIV allows some infected cells to escape immune detection and elimination, and these latently infected cells constitute the viral reservoir," wrote Nathan W. Cummins, MD and Andrew D. Badley, MD for Mayo Clinic Proceedings in 2015. The rise of the Los Angeles Lakers from years of a title drought was helped in big part by them drafting Earvin Magic Johnson in 1979. Magic Johnson was diagnosed before he. Yet even without modern drugs, in rare instances a person living with HIV can manage on their own to keep AIDS at bay. But Cookie came home one day and said something that "changed my life," Johnson said. Don't miss it', Get Make It newsletters delivered to your inbox, Learn more about the world of CNBC Make It, 2023 CNBC LLC. Your IP: Anonymous. He works out. But first the players have to be safe," Johnson said. In the post's caption, Magic narrated how they celebrated his dad's birthday in Lansing, Michigan. And that trumped everything," she told CBS News. That partly explains why Johnson went public with his diagnosis. But at the same time, we have to understand that the hospitality sector and restaurant sector are driven a lot by minorities, especially African Americans. While the family didnt have a luxurious life, the parents always ensured the kids were well taken care of. Mental health continues to be a field that we hope to understand and appreciate more. "I had a test and I had a physical. Everything has gone right. Christine and Earvin Sr have been married for over sixty years now. 2023 MediaMass All rights reserved. The next day, calls to testing centers doubled. He lived up to that promise by making regular appearances, giving interviews and being an activist for HIV and AIDS organisations. 208.87.131.151 Chris Herring. Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of Magic Johnsons decision to retire from basketball upon learning he had been diagnosed with HIVone of the biggest, most impactful moments for public health in generations. "It helped people who were living with not just HIV and AIDS, but with any disease, that you can live on, you can be live a productive life.". Visit our corporate site. You need to get up and figure that out.'". I also said that I was going to become a spokesperson in the fight against the human immunodeficiency virus and an advocate for practicing safe sex by using condoms. "People were wrong. Black people didnt think they could get HIV and AIDS.". Then when you add that up, we dont have access to health care, quality health care. And he followed his disclosure with a second bombshell, announcing his retirement from basketballa sport he had dominated for much of his 13-season career, racking up more than 17,000 points and helping propel the Lakers to five NBA Championships. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | And a number of things, like testing rates [being higher]. "I love working," Johnson says. (Johnsons career was in fact not over, on the court or offjust a few months later he played in the 1992 NBA All-Star game, and on the 1992 U.S. Olympic mens basketball team. He observed that black people are susceptible to more underlying health conditions, including obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. After his walks, Johnson says he uses Uncle Bud's CBD products to help with swelling. In the month following his announcement, HIV testing rose by nearly 60 percent in New York City. News of basketball player Magic Johnsons death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. But he still longed for the game of basketball, and his first retirement would not last long. Why is magic Johnson still alive but not Eazy-E? - Reddit pic.twitter.com/JFTbV0U9YZ. Catastrophic climate 'doom loops' could start in just 15 years, new study warns, Mars helicopter Ingenuity phones home, breaking 63-day silence, Watch 2 giant, highly venomous black mambas fighting in someone's backyard, Sunspot numbers hit 20-year high, indicating the sun is fast approaching its explosive peak, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device, "Magic Johnsons Career Ended by HIV-Positive Test" by Mark Heisler, "Facts About HIV: Life Expectancy and Long-Term Outlook", "New HIV Diagnoses and People with Diagnosed HIV in the US and Dependent Areas by Area of Residence, 2019", "Magic Johnson: the NBA superstar who smashed HIV stigma then built a huge fortune" by Oliver Laughland, "HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Costs in the United States, 2012-2018". Right now theres a shortage of tests. Researchers continue to study long-term nonprogressors to get insights on HIV resistance that could help the 37.7 million people battling the virus, the current estimate of UNAIDS according to HIV.gov. Where Are Magic Johnson's Parents Now? Performance & security by Cloudflare. So while I'm sure being able to afford treatment did play a role with Magic Johnson, it's probably not the only reason. Read more: For HIV/AIDS Survivors, COVID-19 Reawakened Old TraumaAnd Renewed Calls for Change. It seems Eazy-E was only diagnosed by the time he was admitted to hospital with AIDS-induced pneumonia, he died relatively shortly after that. I believe AIDS is still a death sentence even if you were the richest person in the world. "We need to get better. USA TODAY Sports' Mark Medina breaks down how LeBron James is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic from home. Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of Magic Johnson's decision to retire from basketball upon learning he had been diagnosed with HIVone of the biggest, most . Adam has a Master of Arts degree from the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College. "It wasn't how he got it that was important to me. Lastly, Johnson pointed out that black people are more likely to be working in jobs considered "essential services" than those that allow them to work from home. Image: YouTube. And so everything is great. He also talked about how Earvin Sr was crucial in the children learning about work ethic, saying, He didnt care if I scored 40 points for my high school team Friday night. Lakers: Magic Johnson Reminisces on the 30th Anniversary of His Magic and Cookie's friends and fans joined them in celebrating Earvin Sr.'s birthday and commented on their posts with multiple birthday wishes. How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV? Even if Johnson admitted he is "looking forward to see if the Lakers are going to win the championship," he seemed more concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic than worried if sports will resume. America and all of us who live in this great country we live in need sports, especially in a time like this. The Trump presidency made even more stark the entrenched legacy of racism and white supremacy all over the country, including in Michigan, where Johnson's parents still live. Johnson did not appear on CNN just to reflect on the moment he announced on Nov. 7, 1991, that he would retire from the Los Angeles Lakers after learning he contracted the HIV virus that causes AIDS. For his part, Johnson told King that having to tell his wife of the diagnosis, and of the behavior that led to it, is still the toughest thing Ive ever had to do in my life. Having to retire from basketball likely ranked high on that list, as well, between the questions about his own mortality andwhether it was ultimately safe for an HIV-positive player to participate in games. They seem to be enjoying retirement by spending time with their extended family. I think sometimes we think only gay people can get it I am saying that it can happen to anybodyeven me, Johnson told reporters, facing his stark new reality with a mixture of pragmatism and optimism at a time when reassurances were in limited supply. Magic is entirely right about his dad, who labored hard with his wife Christine to bring up their nine kids in Lansing, Michigan.