Cherie Dear is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dare to Hope, an independent, volunteer-led charity dedicated to raising awareness and funding research for pancreatic cancer.

Her leadership is deeply personal, following the devastating loss of both her husband, Paul Dear, and her father to pancreatic cancer in 2022 — just four months apart. Paul, a Hawthorn Football Club premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist, used his public profile during his illness to raise awareness about the brutal reality of the disease. Together, he and Cherie laid the foundations for what would become Dare to Hope — a movement combining high-impact awareness with targeted investment in research.

Under Cherie’s direction, Dare to Hope has evolved into a bold and growing force within the pancreatic cancer space. Its partnership with the Hawthorn Football Club leverages the national reach of the AFL, particularly through the annual Dare to Hope Match, which draws tens of thousands in-person and reaches millions via broadcast. Campaigns such as Gun to the Gut have earned national attention and raised hundreds of thousands for medical research.

Cherie also co-produced the documentary Dare to Hope – The Paul Dear Story, which aired on Channel 7 and is available on SBS On Demand and Kayo Sports. The film brings Paul’s story to life and shines a light on the silent devastation of pancreatic cancer.

Cherie brings passion, resilience, and lived experience to her role. She is committed to ensuring that pancreatic cancer receives the attention and research investment it urgently needs — and that families like hers are not left without hope.