Clodagh is the proud single Mum of 4 young adults, living in Sligo, Ireland. A qualified Swimming teacher, Dragon Boat coach and Analytical Chemist.

Her formal education is through ATU, Sligo where she qualified with a degree in Analytical Chemistry in 1991. Using this qualification she has worked in several manufacturing industry laboratories, with her current employment in the pharmaceutical industry in a Manufacturing Support Specialist role.

In more recent years, Clodagh has become a Breast Cancer Survivor leading her to become a Cancer Patient Advocate and PPI in cancer research. Her aim being to assist and guide cancer researchers to get the best possible outcomes for the patients. She is passionate about access to the best possible treatment available and improving the quality of life for those living with and recovering from cancer.

To enable her to better communicate to the scientific community her lived experience of a cancer diagnosis, the effects of the ensuing treatment on her recovery and quality of life, experience of enrolment onto a clinical trial, and to bridge the gap between patient and researcher, in 2023 Clodagh qualified as a EUPATI Patient Expert.

Since 2020, Clodagh has become involved with PPI grant reviews and Patient Advocacy for ICS, and more recently is involved on steering committees and patient’s councils with CTI PCC and BC DSSG, IBIR, CPAC, and IACR.

It is Clodagh’s passion for quality of life in survivorship that led her to become the founder of Medb’s Dragon Warriors, Sligo’s first Dragon Boat Club for cancer Survivors and Supporters. Her belief being that a cancer diagnosis not only effects an individual but also their close family and friends. Medb’s Dragon Warriors are based on Lough Gill, Sligo. Their flagship boat, “Solas”, represents the light at the end of the dark cancer tunnel and is decorated with 32 cancer ribbons. The club members benefit from peer to peer support, learn the new skill of dragon boating and take the next step in healing both mentally and physically on the beautiful waters of Sligo and beyond. Members also have the opportunity of participating in social and competitive regattas both nationally and internationally. She says her favourite part of these outings is listening to the cacophony of voices, laughter and thrill as the team analyse their performance on the day…their common bond being their cancer diagnosis.