Congratulations! to current full-time MBA student Caitlin McBride, who led the ambassador communications strategy for the 2021 Daffodil Days fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society.
Caitlin championed efforts including the 26 March Late Late Show special featuring pop duo Jedward, who lost their mother to cancer in 2019, shaving their quiffs as part of the fundraising effort. The show raised close to €3 million for the “community of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, health and social care professionals and researchers … transforming the experiences and outcomes of people affected by cancer through our advocacy, support services and research.”
Caitlin said: “This year’s Daffodil Day was the most important in the history of the Irish Cancer Society and in that sense, I’m honoured that I can now say I am part of history. We have all been touched by cancer. Harnessing my experience both professionally and personally to create a blueprint for such an exciting and educational campaign, which raised a record breaking €6m, is an experience I won’t soon forget. Double-jobbing a project of this magnitude with a full-time MBA has not only prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that await me after graduating from UCD Smurfit School, but copper fastened my commitment to community and giving back. And let’s be honest – watching Jedward shave their heads was fantastic television!”
This year’s Irish Daffodil Days fundraising efforts are set to become the biggest on record.