Everyone gets sick of the daily grind. But what if your nine-to-five involves life-and-death decisions that result in death as frequently as life? Such is the case for Prisma Health Chief of Orthopedic Oncology Dr. Scott Porter. “Oncology surgeons get to do some incredible stuff,” he shares. “But the emotional turmoil on some of us is not without cost. As a guy who cuts out cancer, I hate it with every ounce of my being. There are only so many deaths that you can referee. So, I look for ways in which I can pay myself back.” Over the years, he’s found the secret that replenishes his soul: philanthropy.
The doctor’s latest charitable work, Just Cause Scrubs, outfits healthcare workers from head to toe, while supporting charities close to his heart. The relatively young business sells scrubs and medical attire, giving half of its profits to various charities. “They’re the same scrubs, from the same manufacturers and the same warehouses that nurses, techs, and ancillary staff already buy,” Porter explains. “The difference is we’re giving 50 percent of the net profits to a charity of the consumer’s choice.” In just a few short years, Just Cause Scrubs has shipped medical clothing from coast-to-coast, while donating more than $11,000 to groups like Project Hope Foundation and Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research.
“I got my MBA at Kellogg in Chicago about ten years ago,” Porter reveals. “I’ve always had this love of entrepreneurialism. I wanted to do something that would combine that and philanthropy.”
Just Cause Scrubs stitches together Porter’s diverse interests, not only in medicine but in business. “I got my MBA at Kellogg in Chicago about ten years ago,” he reveals. “I’ve always had this love of entrepreneurialism. I wanted to do something that would combine that and philanthropy.” A seamless pattern came together while brainstorming with friends Laura and Marshall Johnson. Utilizing Porter’s medical connections, Marshall’s textile roots, and Laura’s marketing skills, the trio has created a company that they hope will “change the world, one set of scrubs at a time.”
Such philanthropy is not new to the Ohio native, who moved to Greenville in 2009. Porter was the primary force behind South Carolina’s Sarcoma Warriors, which raised a quarter of a million dollars for patients, families, and sarcoma survivors. He’s applying lessons learned from heading that charity to Just Cause Scrubs. “I’ve learned no matter how altruistic a person is, you truly have to have a value proposition,” he says. “Me saying, ‘I will give you something in exchange for what you are giving me,’ is a model that is much more sustainable than saying, ‘Give me. Give me. Give me.’ We hope we’re building a sustainable business that can keep on going forever.”
To learn more about Just Cause Scrubs or purchase medical attire, go to justcausescrubs.com. Photography by Ian Curcio.
JUST CAUSES
Just Cause Scrubs customers select a charity to benefit from their purchase. Charities are always being added to the list, including two that joined just a few weeks ago: South Carolina Nurses Foundation and Toby Keith Foundation.
Lucky Pup Rescue SC
Dobby. Felix. Kai. Just three of thousands of dogs that have made it into the hands of Lucky Pup, as they wait to find their fur-ever home. Lucky Pup, a Greenville-based nonprofit, rescues dogs from high-kill shelters, and abuse and neglect situations, and provides medical care and physical support through foster homes until the dogs are adopted. luckypuprescuesc.com
National Breast Cancer Foundation
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer survivor Janelle Hail founded NBCF in 1991 to fill in the gaps of cancer care. When she was diagnosed in 1980, there was little information about the disease. NBCF is dedicated to promoting the importance of early detection, while providing support services, and hope, to patients.
nationalbreastcancer.org
Project Hope Foundation
This unique local organization helps children and young adults navigate life with autism. When founded in 1997 by local moms looking for services, one in 2,500 children were diagnosed with autism. That’s increased to one in 59 today. Project Hope serves those across the spectrum of autism with programs that include ABA therapy, life skills, community outreach, and adult employment. Some participants are even screen-printing T-shirts that are available through Just Cause Scrubs. projecthopesc.org
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Greenville’s facility is one of 22 in an international health care system serving children with wide-ranging orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions. The local hospital features a 50-bed unit, operating rooms, motion analysis center, therapy areas, and a KidZone play area for children from across the Southeast. Greenville’s original Shriners Hospital opened on Pleasantburg Drive in 1927. It moved to the Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Campus in 1989. shrinershospitalsforchildren.org
