December 1, 2022, is World AIDS Day. The World Health Organisation has asked global leaders to take steps to eradicate the inequities faced by AIDS victims. World AIDS day is an important day in the medical calendar. This day has been since 1988 observed to spread awareness about the life-threatening condition. AIDS is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Several governments and non-government organisation have been working to provide their help to the victims. A major part in this fight is played by victims who spread the word about the condition and help people with the same.
Here is a list of celebrities with HIV and AIDS
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Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is regarded to be one of the greatest basketball players ever
Former basketball player, Johnson is one of the first celebrities to come out about his condition. There were a lot of stigmas attached to the condition of AIDS and HIV in the late 80s and 90s. Johnson made a public announcement in 1991 about his condition in a press conference. “Because of the HIV I have attained, I will have to retire from the Lakers… I plan to go on living for a long time.” said the player.
The 63-year-old is still involved with the sport in the form of commentary. To spread awareness about the condition, he started the Magic Johnson Foundation, an educational orgaisation to prevent the spread of HIV.
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Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Tanzanian origin Freddie Mercury is referred to as one of the greatest musicians from America. The lead singer of Queen, whose sexuality was a big talking point in the US, kept his HIV diagnosis private for several years. He died in November 1991, months after making his condition public.
“Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have tested HIV-positive and have AIDS.
“However, the time has now come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors, and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease,” said the singer in a statement.
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Ryan White
Ryan White (Credits – Britannica)
White’s story is one of the most fascinating stories about HIV AIDS. The teenager got the condition following a blood transfusion as a treatment for hemophilia. He struggled to get back to public school, this struggle made him a national hero in the US.
Ryan White passed away in April 1990. The US President signed the Ryan White CARE act, which extends its care to the people diagnosed with the condition.
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Rod Hudson
Rock Hudson
Hudson was one of the most famous Hollywood stars in the 1950s. The actor was nominated for an Academy Award for his film Giant (1956). Besides action films, Hudson was famous for his romantic comedies in the 1950s and 1960s.
There were always several questions about the sexuality of Rod Hudson. In the mid-1980s, he became one of the first stars in the world to open up about his condition to the world. Shortly after the revelation, Hudson died.
