I love the charitable aspect of BBQ competitions, so much so that when I heard about the work that Scottie Johnson is doing with his CancerSucksChicago.com site, which is a site centered on the Corliss Johnson Memorial Foundation, I had to post about it here.

 

 

Scottie is a very well known member of the KCBS competition family – and many folks across the nation are aware of his efforts as well.   It goes without saying that his spirit and efforts in supporting cancer research have placed him firmly within the softer spots of many of our hearts.   I believe in his efforts, so I’ll use this blog post as a chance to promote his work and give those of you who might not know much about him a little insight into one of competition barbecue’s charitable heroes.

About the Corliss Johnson Memorial Foundation

I did a bit of surfing and came across a 2010 blog article on Scottie’s work with the Corliss Johnson Memorial Foundation from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.   To provide some background on what Scottie’s efforts are all about, I’ll quote what it states here:

In 2004, Scott Johnson founded the Corliss Johnson Memorial Foundation in memory of his wife and with a great commitment to support GI cancer research. For the past six years, the Corliss Johnson Memorial Foundation has helped support numerous clinical research studies in GI cancer at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, making a difference in the lives of patients and their families. The Foundation’s partnership and trust in the exceptional leadership of Mary Mulcahy, MD—Corliss Johnson’s oncologist—already has made so much possible at the medical school. To advance greater research, and to acknowledge the Foundation’s tremendous support, the first Corliss Johnson Oncology Scholar was recently named within the Division of Hematology/Oncology.

Polina Khrizman, MD, a native of Ukraine, completed a combined BA/MD six-year medical degree program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and her internship and residency in internal medicine at Northwestern University. As the inaugural Corliss Johnson Oncology Scholar, Dr. Khrizman is pursuing a fellowship in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Feinberg School.

Dr. Khrizman’s interest in clinical GI oncology originated during her residency and developed further as she conducted various research projects, such as a review paper on stage II colon cancer and molecular markers, a review of curative therapies in metastatic colon cancer, and an original article on the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in GI malignancies. Many of her recent investigations have focused on anal and rectal cancers. As the Corliss Johnson Oncology Scholar, Dr. Khrizman hopes to continue her pursuit of clinical research, introducing innovative ideas to the GI Medical Oncology program at the Lurie Cancer Center.

Through the Corliss Johnson Memorial Foundation, Scott Johnson plans and executes a golf outing every August to raise funds for medical research. In addition, he is an advocate for awareness across the country as he travels with his two daughters, Zoe and Lexi, competing in BBQ contests to raise money for the foundation. As the World Champion Cancer Sucks! BBQ Team, Scott and his daughters bring awareness to the disease while raising money in memory of their wife and mother. - Source: Feinberg School of Medicine News Archive, Northwestern University

 

To learn more about what Scottie is up to with CancerSucksChicago.com, I sent over a few questions that he was kind enough to answer.  Here’s a transcript of our email correspondence.

Hey Scottie, thanks for getting back to me with your answers to some of  our questions.  Can you tell our readers a bit out your history with competition BBQ?

I used to cook what I called BBQ in my backyard on my Weber Kettles. I realized that there were things (smokers) that were specific to what I was trying to accomplish. I got a cheap Brinkman water smoker, then advanced to a Black Diamond, and then I got a (Fast Eddie’s) FE-100. That was back in 2001.   I then played with the FE and cooked two KCBS competitions in 2002. We took a few years off to get our feet under us, and then we cooked two contests in 2005. In 2006, I thought I would go “Full Time,” at least that is what I thought 10 contests would be! LOL!

We were fortunate enough to win the Jack Daniel’s World Invitational Championship in 2006. The weekend we won the Jack is when I found out that my Dad passed away, from what else, cancer, on my way to the Jack Cook’s Meeting.

My sister went home to take care of arrangements, and I decided to stay and cook one for my Dad. He told me before I left to follow my dreams and to bring the hardware home. Well, I did get to bring the hardware home for my Dad in his memory. As a team, we have won multiple Grand Championships and Reserve Grand Championships. Our best year we won 5 GC’s and 4 RGC’s. We finished 8th Overall in the KCBS Team of the Year.

 

Where and how often do you compete these days? Do you stick to a particular circuit?

I cook KCBS contests. I’m loyal and figure why switch up? As far as how many contests…I have gone from cooking 27 contests in a year down to around 15 contests a year. There is no state that we will not go to. So far we have cooked in 29 different states, with a few more new states planned for this season.

 

What kind of rig are you using now for competitions?

As far as a rig goes,  I have a toyhauler RV. It is a 31’ Class C RV, that also has a 10’ garage area in the back. It allows me to transport my cooking gear and converts to a kitchen/work area. My smokers are an original FE-100, FEC-100, and I just added a Jambo smoker to my collection. I’m practicing every weekend on it!

 

As far as the woods you use, do you have a particular flavor profile you stick to for competition cooks?

I like hickory.

 

Bill Arnold of Blues Hog BBQ Sauce made a point to stress his love of BBQ Competitions as ways to help out folks who are in need of financial assistance – referencing specifically his affinity for helping to raise money for Cancer. Sounds like you share his sentiment. Can you talk a bit about this?

Bill is the man. We have gone back a long time. He supports not only my team, but also my foundation. Bill is also a cancer survivor, and I respect him for the long road he has had to travel over the years. Bill and I also have another thing in common. We are single dad’s trying to raise a house full of girls. But we and the girls are making it. They are also friends on the circuit, so that is a fun thing to see the girls interacting during competitions.

 

Can you give us the run down on CancerSucksChicago.com? How long as it been an active organization? How did it get up and running?

When my wife Corliss passed away in 2003, I knew I wanted to try and make a difference. We started a 501(c)(3) organization in her memory to raise money for cancer research and to assist those who are fighting cancer. Corliss used to wear a Cancer Sucks! button every Thursday to her chemo treatments. She did this for almost 18 months!!!

When I started back on the BBQ circuit, I wanted to recognize her for the strength that she had shown during her treatment. I used the button she wore as inspiration. That is where CancerSucksChicago.com comes from. We donate any proceeds back to the foundation.  So far, we have raised almost $200,000 for cancer research.

 

What’s the best way for folks to contribute to the CancerSucksChicago cause?

We have a PayPal account and link on our web page. We are having our website redone, but it will be so nice when it is released. (any day now!!!) We also accept checks, for which we have the mailing info on our website. Either CancerSucksChicago.com or CorlissFoundation.com will take you there.

 

Are there any additional sites, links, etc. you’d like to share with our readers?

Sure, folks should check out BluesHog.com, smokingunsbbq.com, bbqrsdelight.com

 

Thank you, Scottie for providing us with answers to our questions regarding the good work you and your Cancer Sucks BBQ Team are doing. Folks, I urge you to visit CancerSucksChicago.com and give what you’re able.  Remember, whether it’s a good meal or the gift of hope, giving is what competition BBQ is all about.