In the face of adversity, there is always hope.
Dare to Hope is the legacy of the late Hawthorn Football Club Premiership Player and Norm Smith Medalist, Paul Dear.
Help us improve awareness and fund research for innovative treatments to better treat pancreatic cancer.
Photo courtesy of Jarrod Barnes Photography
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2026 Dare to Hope Match - 6th April
Every Easter Monday, the Dare to Hope Match is held at the MCG, bringing together Hawthorn Football Club, official charity partner of Dare to Hope and Geelong Football Club in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
Returning on Easter Monday, April 6th, 2026, Hawthorn and Geelong will once again face off in this powerful fixture that honours Hawthorn premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist Paul Dear and Geelong champion and former captain Michael "Mick" Turner — both of whom lost their lives to pancreatic cancer.
More than just a game, the annual Dare to Hope Match, played live before crowds of 80,000+ and broadcast to an audience of 1.5 million+ puts pancreatic cancer firmly on the map — raising vital awareness and funds for research into a disease that is swift, deadly, and neglected for too long.
Get Involved Match Day
Honour a Loved One
Make a donation and personalise a silhouette for our Bay of Hope at the MCG
Volunteer
Join our incredible community of volunteers this Match Day and help bring Dare to Hope to life.
Buy Merch
Show your support - buy your Dare to Hope merchandise and wear the cause with pride.
Attend the Match
Be part of the most uplifting and powerful day on the pancreatic cancer calendar
We're fighting for a brighter future for pancreatic cancer. Here's why.
Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates out of all the major cancers. On average, only 1 in 10 people diagnosed will survive five-years post diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer often goes undiagnosed in its early stages due to the presentation of vague symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, fatigue and loss of appetite. Currently, no early detection tests are available and often patients are only diagnosed once the cancer has already spread to other organs. By then, surgery is no longer viable and only limited treatment options are available - many with significant side effects that drastically affect quality of life.
For those confronted with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, it can feel like hope is in short supply.
Pancreatic cancer is not as rare as you think
see the facts here
Anonymous
Angelo Abbondanza
In loving memory of our Mum and Nonna, forever in our hearts
Prue O'Callaghan
In honour of my beautiful mum x
Kelly Johncock
Missed and remembered with love always xx
Claire Timms
Robyn, Katie, Ellen and Sarah Gibson
In memory of our beautiful husband and dad, Peter Gibson. You're with us every day.
joan tartaggia
As always great work Lisa
John Hudson
Forever in our hearts
Colosimo family
Billie Wyckelsma
For our Nanna Gwenda, taken too soon but reunited with Carlyle.
We're working tirelessly to change the story.
Dare to Hope is on a mission to raise awareness and to fund critical research to inspire HOPE for those impacted by pancreatic cancer.
Creating opportunities to amplify awareness and understanding of pancreatic cancer though mainstream media.
Funding strategic research to discover innovative treatment options to improve survival and quality of life.
Watch the Dare to Hope documentary
Produced by award-winning filmmaker Peter Dickson from Dickson Films, the documentary explores Paul and Cherie's relentless pursuit to defy the odds, raise awareness and demand funding for research to find innovative treatment options for pancreatic cancer, following Paul's terminal diagnosis.
Available to stream now exclusively on SBS on Demand and Kayo.
Paul & Cherie Dear
After his celebrated football career, Hawthorn Football Club Premiership Player and Norm Smith Medalist, Paul Dear and his wife Cherie were like any ordinary Australian family focused on raising their family.
When Paul was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in September 2020, their life was turned upside down. Over his 22 month journey before passing away in July 2022, Paul together with his family, maintained optimism and persistence in taking control of their journey.
Now, through their experiences of living with cancer, Paul's legacy is Cherie's inspiration to inspire others and raise awareness for this devastating disease.
Photo Courtesy Nicki Connolly/ Herald Sun
