Our Inspiration

Paul Dear was a Hawthorn premiership footballer and Norm Smith Medallist. In September 2020, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Dare to Hope was born from Paul's determination - in the face of a terminal diagnosis - to make something good from the worst of circumstances. To tell his story. And to use it to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research: the only way to change outcomes for future patients.

Paul died in July 2022. Dare to Hope lives on in his name — continuing the mission he started, becoming an independently registered Australian charity in October 2024. We are volunteer-led, board-governed, and entirely focused on funding the research that will move the dial on a disease that kills someone in Australia nearly every two hours.

Watch the Full Documentary — Paul's story, in his own words. [SBS on Demand — Dare to Hope: The Paul Dear Story]

 View the trailer here

Vision

Our vision is to make a meaningful impact for those affected by pancreatic cancer - raising awareness and funding groundbreaking medical research that brings survival rates into line with cancers that were once considered death sentences.

We believe HOPE is both a mindset and a call to action — one that requires a clear strategy. We bring diverse skills and personal experiences to turn hope into action.

Photo Courtesy AFL Photos

Our Values

Our values are deeply rooted in the legacy of Paul Dear and reflect the enduring impact of his strong character and demonstrated courage and resilience both on the football field and during his life.

Hard working, Unafraid

We are unafraid of the tough challenge posed by pancreatic cancer itself and the challenge of bringing pancreatic cancer outcomes into the 21^st century in line with many other cancers and diseases that were once thought of as death sentences. Inspired by Paul we will achieve this with dedication, discipline and hard work. 

 Authentic & Trustworthy

Paul valued integrity and was unapologetically real. We operate with transparency, honesty, and a commitment to getting things done.

Rejecting unnecessary red tape, we are resourceful and relentless in our mission. Like Paul we speak the truth with compassion. Inspired by Paul’s example, enduring hardship encourages us to embrace joy and humour whenever possible. 

Do things Differently: Eliminate Waste

We call it Radical Efficiency. We are proof that a charity can operate differently. Volunteer-led, technology-embracing, and built on the generosity and passion of people who give their time and expertise for free. We don’t need layers of management or expensive infrastructure - our mission is clear. Fund medical research. Do it as efficiently as possible. Every dollar not spent on ourselves is a dollar closer to a cure.

 Innovative

In a fast-moving world, we embrace Paul’s ethos of challenging the status quo and leveraging technology to drive innovation. Although prepared to work hard when necessary, he believed in working smarter, not harder, and wasn’t afraid to do things differently.

Inspired by his vision, we collaborate with organizations and fund research that harness new technology and new ways of thinking to accelerate breakthroughs.

Connection & Community

Paul was an independent thinker who also valued teamwork and belonging. He cherished his time at Hawthorn Football Club and later embraced grassroots sports through his kids. When he was diagnosed, his community rallied around him with unwavering support.

We honor his legacy by fostering connection and community.

Embrace Hope

Paul never saw himself as a victim—he embraced empowerment, focused on solutions, and chose possibility over limitation. Inspired by his example, we strive to empower others to choose HOPE.

HOPE is a mindset, but turning it into action requires a clear strategy—and we are committed to both.

Our Promise to You

Volunteer-led. No paid staff. No salaries. No office costs. Our board serves without remuneration. In our first full year as an independent charity, here is exactly where your money went.

Our goal is to build a community - united by hope and resilience - dedicated to confronting the tough challenges of pancreatic cancer and creating meaningful change.

We raise awareness and funds to drive innovative medical research, recognising that real change requires collective effort. By collaborating with like-minded organizations, we maximise our impact.

Verified figures for the year ended 30 June 2025. Not projections - results.

See our full financials and governance → [Link to Transparency page]

Our Board

All directors serve in a voluntary, unremunerated capacity.

Photos courtesy of Scott Brownlee