A tragic incident unfolded when a teenage girl lost her life due to what was initially thought to be stress-induced headaches related to exams but later diagnosed as cancer.
Graham Hood, aged 62, shared how his daughter, Cara, started experiencing migraines in the spring of 2024, which the family initially attributed to exam pressure. However, the headaches persisted into the summer, and in August, they received the devastating news that she had medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor.
Cara, aged 18, bravely underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, but unfortunately, her health deteriorated over the following year, leading to her passing away in the hospital on November 8, 2025.
Graham is now raising awareness by participating in a 56.7-mile charity cycle ride alongside his son, Rory, aged 21, to honor Cara’s memory. Reflecting on Cara’s symptoms, Graham recalled her complaints of headaches during her exams, which continued even after the exams had ended.
Throughout July and early August, Cara’s parents, Lyndsay, aged 55, a community pharmacist, and Graham, made several visits to the GP due to her unexplained vomiting. Despite initial assumptions of migraines, a CT scan on August 8 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital revealed the presence of a brain tumor.
The family was taken aback when the tumor turned out to be malignant, specifically medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer for someone of Cara’s age. Further treatments, including proton beam therapy in Manchester and chemotherapy, followed, but sadly, the cancer returned.
On September 23, a routine MRI scan revealed the cancer’s recurrence in Cara’s brain and spine, leading to a series of challenging events that eventually led to her passing on November 8.
Graham and Rory are now actively fundraising for Brain Tumour Research by participating in Sir Chris Hoy’s ‘Tour de 4’ event, aiming to generate crucial funds for the cause. Graham emphasized the need for more funding in brain tumor research, highlighting the underfunded nature of this critical area of healthcare.
Reflecting on their journey, Graham acknowledged the difficulty in recognizing the signs of such a rare illness and the importance of early detection. He expressed gratitude for the support received and emphasized the resilience and courage displayed by Cara throughout her battle with the disease.
