Legendary player of the Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson, categorically denied any involvement in blood donation to the Red Cross.
The renowned former Lakers icon, along with The Associated Press fact-checkers, debunked a misleading social media assertion claiming that Johnson, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1991, was contributing blood to the Red Cross.
A circulating image on social platforms displayed Johnson undergoing a blood draw during a medical visit in 2012, a routine practice for him.
Misleading captions suggested that Johnson was actively supplying “his blood to the Red Cross to assist disadvantaged communities in the battle against COVID-19.”
Alas, that is completely false.
As outlined by The Associated Press, the picture originates from a 2012 documentary aired on PBS’s “Frontline” focusing on AIDS in the United States.
Given that HIV can be passed through blood contact, the Red Cross bars individuals with positive HIV tests from making blood donations.
All blood units received by the organization undergo rigorous testing for the virus and its antibodies.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday morning, Johnson dispelled the rumors, stating, “I’m aware of the misleading story circulating online, and to clarify, I have never contributed blood.”
I’m cognizant of the misleading tale spreading online, and just to set the record straight, I’ve never engaged in blood donation.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 23, 2022
Magic Johnson, who graced the Lakers’ roster from 1979-91 and also during the 1995-96 season, disclosed his positive HIV diagnosis in 1991.
The iconic basketball figure never progressed to AIDS, the advanced stage of HIV infection, maintaining an undetectable status.
At 63 years old, Johnson, who last held the position of Lakers’ basketball operations president in 2019, continues to be a prominent advocate for HIV education and prevention.
Image Credit: Magic Johnson @ Instagram
