Nov. 7th: AHF Marks Magic Johnson’s 20 Years of Living with HIV with Events in L.A., Florida & D.C.

On Monday, November 7^th, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Partners with the Magic Johnson Foundation for “Point Forward Day”—a national day of awareness and action to celebrate 20 years of impact

“Point Forward Day” activities include free HIV testing events in South Los Angeles, South Florida and in the Washington D.C. area

LOS ANGELES--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the HIV diagnosis of basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. and the 20^th anniversary of the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) by hosting free HIV testing events in Los Angeles, South Florida and the Washington D.C. area. The events are part of Point Forward Day, a national day of awareness and action to celebrate 20 years of impact. November 7, 2011 marks exactly 20 years to the date that Johnson announced his HIV status and subsequent retirement from the NBA.

Charles R. Drew University will join with AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the Magic Johnson Foundation in hosting Point Forward Day activities in South Los Angeles. Free confidential HIV and STD (sexually-transmitted disease) screening will be offered via two mobile vans at the location: the Charles Drew Mobile HIV testing van along with the AHF “Health Spot” mobile van. “Health Spot” is a new mobile testing van program to stem the high rates of gonorrhea, Chlamydia and HIV in South Los Angeles. The testing will take place at Earvin Magic Johnson Recreation Area located at 905 East El Segundo Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90059 in South Los Angeles from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Monday November 7^th. There will be free Bar-B-Que from Earlz’ Grille and free subway gift cards for the first 100 people who stop by the event to take an HIV and/or STD test.

In Miami, AHF and MJF will be joined by the Nanay Community Center in offering free testing out of two mobile testing units at the Center located at 659 NE 125th St., North Miami, FL 33161 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Monday, November 7^th. In the Washington D.C. area, AHF will partner with the MJF Autumn Woods Community Empowerment Center (CEC) and the Town of Bladensburg to offer free HIV testing through its AHF “Magic Johnson” mobile testing unit outside the Autumn Woods Apartments located at 5033-57^th Avenue, Bladensburg, Maryland from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

In Bladensburg, Mayor Walter James and City Council members will kick off the day by stepping forward as the first to get tested. Local high school students will take field trips to the CEC for testing and DC-based health organization Metro Teen AIDS and Us Helping Us will host candid conversations with students and adults that will promote responsible decision making and education on HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Bladensburg High School’s Color Guard and Marching Band are scheduled to perform live at the venue.

Target gift cards and other gift incentives will be offered in Miami and in Bladensburg.

What: Point Forward Day – Free HIV & STD Testing Event in South Los Angeles
When: Monday, November 7th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Earvin Magic Johnson Recreation Area, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90059
Contact: Cynthia Davis, Charles R. Drew University and AHF, Office: [phone]

What: Point Forward Day – Free HIV Testing Event in North Miami
When: Monday, November 7th, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Nanay Community Center, 659 NE 125th St., North Miami, FL 33161
Contact: Mauricio Ferrer, Sr. Program Mgr., AHF Public Health Division, Cell: [phone]

What: Point Forward Day – Free HIV Testing Event in the Washington D.C. area
When: Monday, Nov. 7th, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Where: Autumn Woods Apartments, 5033 - 57th Avenue, Bladensburg, Maryland
Contact: Barbara Chinn, AHF “Blair Underwood” Healthcare Center, Program Mgr, Cell: [phone]

AHF has a long history of partnership with Magic Johnson and the Magic Johnson Foundation on numerous HIV outreach, testing and treatment initiatives. AHF offers free HIV testing through mobile “Magic Johnson”-branded HIV testing units in Washington D.C. and in South Florida. In addition, AHF operates five AHF “Magic Johnson” Healthcare Centers—in Los Angeles, Northern California and Florida—named in honor of and in partnership with Johnson. Last November, AHF honored Magic Johnson as the first recipient of its inaugural World AIDS Day “Magic” Award in a ceremony last at the Los Angeles Staples Center.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and services to more than 153,000 individuals in 27 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific region and Eastern Europe. www.aidshealth.org

The Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF), was established in 1991 to raise funds for community-based organizations focused on HIV/AIDS education and prevention. To date, the foundation has donated over $15 Million to underserved communities. MJF has evolved from an HIV grant making organization to one that advocates for community based organizations, and supports educational empowerment through HIV/AIDS education/testing/awareness work, minority college access, and digital literacy. Additionally, the Magic Johnson Foundation provides inner city youth access to social activities and outings such as professional sports events and holiday parties otherwise unavailable to them.