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, 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.

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

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.

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