Amy Parmenter is a top-notch netballer from NSW who’s been playing the game from an early age, who, alongside Molly Croft, has been helping to tackle cancer through The Tie Dye Project since 2017. The project involves selling tie-dying products to help raise money for sarcoma-related causes, inspired by Amy’s mum who spent her time selling DIY tie-dye items at the Byron markets before passing from mesothelioma. We caught up with Molly and Amy to chat all about how the project first launched and what they wish more people understood about cancer.

Hi Molly and Amy! First up, how would you describe your relationships with netball? Amy Parmenter: I started a bit later than other girls would at 14 years old, but I loved being part of a sport that was full of incredible women. It taught me that it was cool to be strong and athletic, it was a haven and a special place. It’s where I started to feel like I belonged somewhere in the world, and it became a dream of mine to start playing professionally. Molly Croft: After I was diagnosed with a sarcoma it felt like the ability to play sport was taken away from me, but just because I wasn’t able to play anymore didn’t mean I lost the values I learnt while playing the game. There were so many things I had to face with a cancer diagnosis, but I was able to use what I learnt playing the game to help get me through this journey.

Talk to us about The Tie Dye Project. When did it first come to be? Amy: When I was young in primary school, my mum would tie-dye stuff with me and my sister and we would go to the market and sell them, which was always fun. After she passed, I wanted to do something meaningful, and then I remembered tie-dye.

After I met Molly – who was wearing a rainbow cast at the time – something clicked and I knew that I wanted to use tie-dye to help fight cancer, and because she understood what it was like to deal with it, I asked her if she wanted to do it with me. Molly: Even though I was going through a really hard time, I still consider this the biggest life lesson for me to jump on board and do some good – it was a reason for me to smile. We’ve since raised so much money and we’ve been able to talk to so many people, who may not have known just how scary sarcoma is.

How would you describe the public response to The Tie Dye Project? Molly: There is a big part of this that is about raising money and supporting research projects, and that has been really incredible. We’ll get our friends and family together to tie dye stuff together and have a big week, like a yearly thing. Last November we had around 500 people come and check out our tie-dye collection, and it was a really special and full-circle moment. Amy: We got to also play a netball game to support sarcoma research, and I feel so honoured to know there are so many people out there supporting us. It’s so surreal.

Do you have any favourite memories with The Tie Dye Project? Amy: That would probably be in 2020, when we raised money for a specific research trial and we raised about $260,000. We were able to put together a grant application to the government, and it’s still so crazy to know this came from a backyard project. You can sometimes feel so helpless and small, but this puts in our minds that we can make big impacts on things. It’s amazing, I hope we can have more fond memories. Molly: Honestly, knowing the statistics about sarcoma, I just feel so truly lucky to be here and I love that I’m able to help more people. Such an amazing community.

Looking back from where you first started, how do you feel about the growth of this project? Amy: It almost feels like it wasn’t supposed to happen. We have really big goals and I’m excited about the future – we’re only just getting started. Molly: I can live with all of the effects of cancer, but I definitely cannot live without creating awareness and funding. I believe that this is only the beginning for us, and I’m excited about where we go in the future.

What do you wish more people knew about cancer? Molly: I remember sitting in the doctor’s office when I was first diagnosed, on my 12th birthday. Cancer will always be a part of my life, but it can affect anyone. It’s one of the few things in this world that doesn’t discriminate. Amy: Awareness is key, and it’s important to support not only our communities but the rest of the world. Get stuff checked if you feel sore or not sure what is going on, go to the doctor. Molly: Sarcoma also disproportionately affects young people, and it’s not always clear. Kids shouldn’t have to go through this, so raising awareness and money is so important.