The LA Clippers Join With Local Organizations to Mobilize Fans to be “Greater Than AIDS”

LOS ANGELES — Tonight at the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Clippers will encourage fans and all Los Angeles residents to be “Greater Than AIDS” as part of a national partnership with NBA Cares. Greater Than AIDS is new national movement to respond to AIDS in America developed by the Los Angeles-based Black AIDS Institute together with the Kaiser Family Foundation.

“Everyday in ways large and small, individuals, communities and businesses have deciding moments about critical issues of our day. HIV and AIDS continue to be a major health threat in Los Angeles,” said Phill Wilson, Founder & Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute.

As part of a locally-focused partnership with The California Endowment, Greater Than AIDS has teamed up with the LA Clippers for “LOS ANGELES > AIDS” night to mobilize NBA fans and Los Angeles communities in response to AIDS in the United States and reduce the stigma associated with the disease. In addition to in-arena messaging and co-branded giveaways at tonight’s Clippers game against the Chicago Bulls, an NBA/Greater Than AIDS public service message will be presented during halftime, to be broadcast on national NBA TV. The LOS ANGELES > AIDS game is developed as part of an ongoing partnership between Greater Than AIDS and the NBA/WNBA.

“HIV/AIDS doesn’t discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender, race and ethnicity and neither should we discriminate against or stigmatize individuals living with HIV and AIDS,” said Robert K. Ross, M.D., president & CEO of The California Endowment. “By reducing stigma around HIV/AIDS more people will get tested and seek out treatment so they can continue to lead healthy, productive lives.”

Staff and volunteers from two leading Los Angeles organizations — Black AIDS Institute and AIDS Project Los Angeles — will be on-hand at the Staples Center to distribute custom informational materials and connect fans with local services. All materials distributed to fans at the game feature these local resources.

“As one of the hardest-hit urban areas, Los Angeles is a critical front in the fight against new HIV infections,” said APLA Executive Director Craig E. Thompson. “We’re honored to join this important effort to end the stigma that continues to surround, and drive, the epidemic.”

More than 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS today — more than at any time in the 30 year history of the epidemic. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 5 of those who are positive does not know it. Early diagnosis and treatment are known to improve the lives of those living with the disease. Stigma also remains a major barrier to stemming the spread of HIV. The Los Angeles area remains disportionately impacted, with higher than national prevalence rates in Los Angeles.

Tonight’s LOS ANGELES > AIDS night tips off at 7:30 PM at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as the Clippers host the Chicago Bulls. Tickets are available at www.clippers.com.

About Greater Than AIDS
Greater Than AIDS is an unprecedented collaboration among a broad coalition of public and private sector partners united in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States, in particular among Black Americans and other disproportionately affected groups. Through a national media campaign and targeted community outreach, Greater Than AIDS aims to increase knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS and confront the stigma surrounding the disease. www.greaterthan.org

The Kaiser Family Foundation — a leader in health policy and communications — provides strategic direction and day-to-day management, as well as oversees the production of the media campaign. The Kaiser Family Foundation is not associated with Kaiser Permanente or Kaiser Industries. The Black AIDS Institute — a think tank exclusively focused on AIDS in Black America — provides leadership and expert guidance and directs community engagement. Greater Than AIDS is developed in support of Act Against AIDS, an effort by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to refocus attention on the domestic epidemic. Additional, financial and substantive support is provided by the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Ford Foundation and MAC AIDS Fund, among others.

About Greater Than AIDS/NBA Cares Partnership
Greater Than AIDS and the National Basketball Assocation have teamed up to mobilize NBA fans and local communities in response to AIDS in the United States and reduce the stigma associated with the disease. The partnership includes television and radio public service ads (PSAs) featuring NBA/WNBA players, including Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers), Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Candice Wiggins (Minnesota Lynx), whose father, former professional baseball player Alan Wiggins, died of AIDS in 1991. The partnership also includes targeted activations, community events, and special “Greater Than AIDS” in-arena nights to bring attention to HIV/AIDS in priority markets. Learn more: www.greaterthan.org/nba