Johnson has written a cookbook titled "Angel Food," that benefits a cause very dear to her heart.
Johnson lost her daughter, Robin Knight, to lymphoma stemming from melanoma 13 years ago. Knight left behind two children, Joe and Ruby, as well as her husband, Ken Knight.
Johnson, who is originally from Maryland, and her family knew they had to do something to honor the memory of Robin, who always wanted her mother to do a cookbook.
"There is a message and a moral to the story," says Norma's husband, Ron Johnson.
Norma, Ron, Joe and Ruby attended a church service soon after Robin's death. The congregation began a "God's Dollar Program." Everyone was given one dollar and allowed three months to see how much they could earn with it.
Norma and Ron pooled their dollars together, and the inspired group started off with two dollars. The family, still shocked from their loss, baked half a batch of cookies with the two dollars they had. Once the cookies were baked, Joe and Ruby set out in the neighborhood to attempt selling them.
"They were only gone a few minutes when they came running excitedly back into the house, waving a handful of dollars," says Norma Johnson.
During the allotted three-month time period given by the church, the family raised $250 from just $2 by baking and selling cookies. This amazing turnover gave the family the idea to start baking and selling the cookies as a fundraiser for melanoma research.
"It really bonded us together and gave us something to focus on besides our daughter and their mother's death," says Johnson.
The family continued to bake and sell approximately 30,000 cookies and donate all the proceeds to the University of Maryland Greenbaum Cancer Center. Everyone pitched in. Norma made the dough, Ruby baked them after school, and everyone did the job of selling the cookies.
"We soon developed large standing orders from our customers," says Johnson. "We completely burned out an oven; the standard size domestic oven just couldn’t keep up."
Ruby even became a local hero by winning the National Society of Fundraising Executives' award for Outstanding College Youth Volunteer Award in Maryland in 2000. She was presented with a check for $200 to present to the charity of her choice, as well as a plaque of recognition.
Ruby Knight and her family had raised over $4,000 for cancer research since 1996, as Johnson says, "solely for the pleasure of the knowledge that she's doing a good thing, and that she's keeping the memory of her mother alive."
Johnson had the idea for "Angel Food" in her head for a number of years, but due to her self-proclaimed procrastination, put the project off until the time came when her grandchildren both called her on the same day seeking the exact same recipe. She knew it was time to get started.
"Angel Food" is a collection of recipes and insight into this family's life through a tour of food and antics that are sure to put a smile on your face. This cookbook flows like a memoir telling the story of a mother-and-daughter relationship and ensures Robin Knight's legacy will be passed on from person to person as long as this book is in circulation.
"If you will take the time to read this book, you will know me," says Norma Johnson. "Everything you see a picture of in the book we cooked last Easter and our grandson, Joe, took the pictures. Our granddaughter, Ruby, did the layout for the book, and Ron did the angel drawing for the cover. We get the binder, dividers and recipes from the publisher, and then we add the rest. A group of ladies, my friends, come over and volunteer to assemble the books so they are ready to sell."
Each book costs the Johnsons 12 dollars to produce. They sell the book for 20 dollars, and the eight dollar difference goes to the University of Maryland Greenbaum Cancer Center. The book can be purchased from Johnson and her family. So far about 900 to 1,000 copies of "Angel Food" have been sold.
"It has all been word of mouth so far," says Johnson. "People recognize the cause and want to help out. I am hoping that local bookstores will be spurred on to sell copies."
The Johnson family also advocates education about skin cancers, particularly melanoma.
"As a general rule, people take skin cancer very lightly," says Johnson.
According to a press release from the University of Maryland Medical System, melanoma is curable if it is detected early; however, unlike other skin cancers it can spread easily to other parts of the body through the blood or the lymph system. This results in melanoma causing 79 percent of skin cancer deaths, although it makes up only four percent of skin cancer cases. Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is the most important factor in the cause of skin cancer, but many people do not protect themselves from the negative effects of the sun.
"Using a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays will not only keep your skin looking young and healthy, it can save your life," says Dr. Mark Lowitt, a dermatologist and skin cancer expert at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "Sunscreen is especially important for children because most people receive at least 80 percent of their lifelong sun exposure before the age of 18. Even one or two blistering sunburns as a child can significantly increase the risk of melanoma skin cancer later in life."
Lowitt says it is a good idea to avoid the midday sun, wear protective clothing, and use an umbrella for shade if you are going to be out between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
"Melanoma is not just a skin disease," says Johnson. "When I die I want it to be said that I did my best. There is a great parental responsibility to see that the children are protected."
The family has also started a Robin Knight Memorial Golf Tournament benefiting the University of Maryland Greenbaum Cancer Center that was held in early June at the South River Golf Course in Maryland.
For more information about "Angel Food" contact Norma Johnson at 910-295-6350 or e-mail her at Nonnyj@earthlink.net.
Martha Tyree, a recent graduate of Appalachian State University, was an intern for The Pilot.
