Dare to Hope : Partners

Hawthorn Football Club - Official Charity Partner

Andy Gowers (HFC President) Ash Klein (HFC CEO) Cherie Dear (Co-Founder)

Press release from Hawthorn Football Club - Nov 20 2025

Dare to Hope recognised Hawthorn’s Official Charity Partner on World Pancreatic Cancer Day

Hawthorn Football Club has reaffirmed its commitment to Dare to Hope as the club’s Official Charity Partner on World Pancreatic Cancer Day.Dare to Hope is the legacy of the late Hawthorn premiership player and 1991 Norm Smith Medallist Paul Dear, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2022, working to raise awareness and vital research funds to combat the deadly outcomes of others impacted by the disease.

Following the inception of the inaugural Dare to Hope Match just days after Dear’s passing in 2022, Hawthorn has worked hand-in-hand with the charity to bring about much-needed awareness of the horrific statistics surrounding pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of all the major cancers. On average, just 1 in 10 people diagnosed will survive five years post-diagnosis.

Ahead of the fifth annual Dare to Hope Match in 2026 on Easter Monday, Paul Dear’s legacy lives on through his son Calsher, proudly wearing the same colours his late father once did. This World Pancreatic Cancer Day (20 November), Dare to Hope is holding its first Light of Hope sunset vigil to honour those affected by pancreatic cancer. CLICK HERE for more information on how you can support.

Hawthorn Football Club CEO Ash Klein was proud to continue Dear’s legacy and ramp up the club’s efforts in the fight against pancreatic cancer. “Hawthorn is proud to recognise Dare to Hope as its Official Charity Partner on World Pancreatic Cancer Day,” Klein said. “Inspired by Paul’s journey, the Dear family, together with the entire Dare To Hope Foundation, has done a mountain of work in raising awareness and funds to improve medical outcomes, all while igniting hope to make a meaningful impact for those affected by pancreatic cancer.

“As a club, we are proud to continue Paul’s legacy and Dare to Hope’s important fight against this insidious disease.”

CEO and Co-Founder of Dare to Hope, Cherie Dear, echoed Klein’s sentiments.

"We are deeply grateful that Hawthorn Football Club has continued to recognise Dare to Hope as its official charity partner,” Dear said. “Pancreatic cancer survival rates and treatment options have barely shifted in decades. In that time, we’ve seen dramatic improvements for other cancers and diseases, and striving for the same improvements in outcomes for pancreatic cancer is what drives us.

“When Paul was diagnosed, his prognosis was immediately desperate. His hope, and his dream, was that families in the future would not face the same limited pathway. By raising funds, we are backing innovative research that aims to create the new treatments people with pancreatic cancer so desperately need. Together with the support of the Hawthorn community, we can change what current data tells us is a dire outlook.

“Paul’s death remains incredibly raw for our family—felt even more on the big moments, like each of the milestones Calsher achieves in his footy career. Paul would give anything to witness the journey that lies ahead. His absence fuels our purpose. We remain steadfast in sharing Paul’s story, driving change, and improving treatment outcomes—and we are proud to have Hawthorn Football Club by our side as we do it.”

More details about the 2026 Dare to Hope Match will be released in the new year.

2026 DARE TO HOPE MATCH

Hawthorn v Geelong Cats

Monday 6 April 2026

3.15pm

MCG