Making a difference with BarbeCURE®: Meet Eddy Agcaoili
Dedicated BarbeCURE® supporter Eddy Agcaoili shares why he’s been bringing the SC Johnson community together over a barbie for the past 6 years to raise crucial funds for cancer research.
When 57-year-old father of two, Eddy, lost his wife, Alma, to uterine cancer in January 2016, he knew he wanted to find a way to not only keep her memory alive, but also to make a difference to others going through similar situations.
“After the passing of Alma, I pledged to support an organisation that is involved with curing cancer,” says Eddy. “I found Cure Cancer online, read their purpose and decided to nominate them as my charity of choice. I started running to raise money, signing up to the Sydney Half Marathon, Sydney Running Festival and City2Surf. I also took part in Cure Cancer’s Runway Run at Sydney Airport in 2018.”
BarbeCURE® at work
Eddy Agcaoili (centre) at the 2023 SC Johnson BarbeCURE®, which raised close to $12,000 for vital cancer research.
Keen to extend his support of Cure Cancer, Eddy – who is the Sales Operations Manager at SC Johnson – decided to get his workplace involved in Cure Cancer’s summer BarbeCURE® initiative. The initial SCJ BarbeCURE® was held in memory of Alma a year after her passing, and 6 years on, it’s become something of an annual tradition.
“We invite all SCJ employees – including those who have left, but whom I previously worked with,” says Eddy. “We raise money through an online silent auction on the day, raffle tickets, and ‘fun-raising’ activities, and SCJ employees and business partners, suppliers, and service providers generously donate prizes for our auction and raffle.”
Eddy plays an active role in setting up the BarbeCURE®, leading a volunteer group to help out with organising and running the event on the day. People are encouraged to bring along a share plate (desserts are very popular!), and Cure Cancer work with their partners to provide food and beverages to serve to everyone attending.
“Over the years, it’s became almost like a tradition for SCJ and ex-SCJ employees to come together and catch up in a relaxed environment, raising money for a good cause,” says Eddy. “There are a lot of brilliant minds out there who are passionate about finding a cure but are unable to progress due to lack of funding. We can send people to the moon, and yet we still don’t have a cure for this dreadful disease. By supporting Cure Cancer, we have the best chance of changing that.”
Making a difference
Eddy Agcaoili (centre) with Cure Cancer CEO Nikki Kinloch (left) and Fundraising Manager Emma Kirkman (right) at the 2023 SC Johnson BarbeCURE®.
Although Eddy still misses Alma every day, he tries to focus on the positives. “Over the past few years, our family has come together and become stronger as a unit. We’re very aware of how important it is to spend quality time with our loved ones, because no one really knows what the future holds. Cancer doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone of us at any time.”
Another positive is the incredible difference Eddy and his SC Johnson colleagues, past and present, have made to cancer research. As one of our most valued corporate supporters, they have raised over $70,000 to fund more than 900 hours of cutting-edge cancer research. Most recently, SC Johnson made a significant contribution of $20,000AUD to support research in uterine cancer, led by a brilliant Cure Cancer grant recipient, Dr Asmerom Sengal.
A huge thank you to Eddy Agcaoili and everyone at SC Johnson. Your support of brilliant research has kick-started countless bright new ideas. Because of you, we know we can find a cure.
Want to find out more hosting a BarbeCURE® at your workplace?
