Tuesday, 9 March, 2021
Dubbo’s own Molly Croft has today taken out The One To Watch Award as part of the 2021 NSW Women of the Year Awards.
Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders said the 15-year-old is a rising star in NSW and demonstrated leadership through fundraising and awareness campaigns.
“Molly is an outstanding young woman who overcame a battle with cancer and raised thousands for research,” Mr Saunders said.
“I know Molly well and she does not do what she does for the awards or accolades.
“But she is an incredibly deserving recipient of this award which recognises her courage, kindness, strength and determination.”
Molly Croft was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on her 12th birthday and needed major surgeries and intensive chemotherapy. She and her family had to travel hundreds of kilometres for her to undergo treatment, but Molly turned her experiences into a positive, launching her own campaign, ‘Paying It Forward’ which raised more than $185,000 for Westmead Ronald McDonald House. Molly has also been an advocate for cancer awareness and research on national television and helped generate about $25,000 for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor – a former cancer nurse – commended Molly on her advocacy.
“Despite facing huge personal obstacles, Molly formed her own network of young sarcoma patients and now provides ongoing support to these other young cancer patients while they’re in hospital and after they return home,” Mrs Taylor said.
“I have worked with countless regional patients as a cancer nurse and applaud their immense stoicism, resilience and sense of community.”
In her ‘spare time’, Ms Croft participates in the Cancer Council’s Tie Dye Project, coaches sporting teams and sits on the NSW Youth Advisory Council.
For more information on the awards and finalists, please visit women.nsw.gov.au.