Dubbo local, Molly Croft, overcame a battle with cancer and raised thousands for research, earning her the One To Watch Award as part of the NSW Women of the Year Awards.
Minister for Women, Bronnie Taylor, 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 drew on her own journey with an extremely rare bone cancer to support sick children and their families," Mrs Taylor said.
"She is an incredibly deserving recipient of this award which recognises the courage, kindness, strength and determination of young women."
Molly Croft was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on her 12th birthday and needed major surgeries and intensive chemotherapy. She had to travel hundreds of kilometres from home for treatment.
"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."
"We are building a safer, stronger NSW, and that means acknowledging the incredible contributions of our young people and the things they do to help others."
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.
Grateful for the support of her community, Ms Croft launched her own campaign, 'Paying It Forward' and raised more than $185,000 for Westmead Ronald McDonald House.
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.
The NSW Women of the Year Awards will be held tomorrow as a highlight of NSW Women's Week, 8-14 March.
