The Kids Cancer Project teams up with Molly Croft to encourage donations for K’Day

A young Central West woman who survived a two-time cancer battle is jumping on board to encourage donations for a kids cancer project. Read about the campaign here.

A young woman who survived a two-time cancer battle from the state’s central west has teamed up with an organisation ahead of this year's Childhood Cancer Day.

Molly Croft, 17, of Dubbo, was diagnosed with osteoblastic osteosarcoma at 12 years old and had raised nearly $800,000 through the Tie Dye Project with netball star Amy Parmenter.

On Thursday, February 15, Ms Croft is partnering with The Kids Cancer Project for “K-day”, where all donations will be matched in an effort to raise $500,000 to finding a cure and improving outcomes for children’s cancer.

The project’s chief executive officer and former Wallabies player Owen Finegan said the $500,000 will be “invested” in pioneering Australian research and improving accessibility to clinical trials, survival treatments and survival rates.

“We want to make sure the kids and young adults not only survive but they thrive,” Mr Finegan said.

Sarcoma survivor Molly Croft – the face of K'day 2024 Campaign and her family, as well as Tie Dye project partner Amy Parmenter. Picture: Fiona Wolf

12-year-old cancer patient Hugo Kulscar with Wallabies legend Owen Finegan. Picture: Dylan Robinson

He told The Dubbo News each dollar donated on Thursday would be matched by their corporate partners to raise awareness and share harsh statistics around childhood cancer.

“To hear your child has cancer is the worst news that any parent can receive,” he said.

K’Day is hoping to raise $500,000 this year to invest in future outcomes for diagnosed children. Photos by Fiona Wolf.

Three Australian children are diagnosed with cancer each day, while three children die from their diagnosis each week.

“Our vision is to see the 100 per cent survival of every child and adolescent diagnosed with cancer,” Mr Finegan said.

“One day every child with cancer will be able to live a full life.”

Ms Croft is looking forward to the campaign as she believes research is the key to finding “better outcomes for kids like her”.

“It’s just so important because I feel like I am one of the lucky ones,” she said.

“I have so many friends who are still suffering and I’ve lost so many friends – statistics say I shouldn’t be here.

“After many months in chemo, big surgeries, losing a part of my lung, relapse and many scans and hospital stays, I know how lucky I am.

“I can live with a disability, and I can live with the after effects of cancer but I cannot live without helping raise awareness and funding for those coming behind me.”

Donate at K’Day.

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