Full Breakdown
Cara Hood's Battle with Medulloblastoma and the Family's Fundraising Ride
6/1/2026, 9:08:50 PM
Diagnosis, Treatment and Death
In spring 2024, 17-year-old Cara Hood developed migraines while studying for her Higher exams. Persistent headaches led to a CT scan at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow, on 8 August 2024, revealing a brain tumour. Surgeons removed it on 9 August. Although initially thought non-malignant, a specialist on 21 August diagnosed aggressive medulloblastoma, a cancer usually seen in younger children. Cara then underwent six weeks of proton-beam radiotherapy at The Christie Hospital, Manchester, and five chemotherapy cycles. After turning 18 in March 2025, a routine MRI on 23 September showed recurrence in brain and spine. A do-not-resuscitate order on 30 September led to her transfer to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre for six weeks of care; she died early on 8 November 2025.
Timeline of Key Milestones
- Spring 2024 – Headaches during exams.
- 8 Aug 2024 – CT scan at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow; tumour detected.
- 21 Aug 2024 – Diagnosis of aggressive medulloblastoma.
- Aug 2024 – Jan 2025 – Proton-beam radiotherapy (6 weeks) at The Christie Hospital, Manchester.
- Early 2025 – Five chemo cycles.
- 23 Sep 2025 – MRI shows recurrence in brain and spine.
- 30 Sep 2025 – Do-not-resuscitate order; transfer to Beatson Cancer Centre.
- 8 Nov 2025 – Death.
Background: Medulloblastoma and Early Symptoms
Medulloblastoma is a malignant brain tumour that typically affects children under 15; occurrence in a 17-year-old is uncommon. Early signs such as persistent headaches, vomiting and balance problems can be mistaken for exam-related stress.
Data & Statistics
Sir Chris Hoy’s ‘Tour de 4’ covers 56.7 miles (91.2 km) and starts 6 September. Graham Hood has raised over £6,700. Cara’s treatment included six weeks of proton-beam radiotherapy, five chemotherapy cycles, and a recurrence in brain and spine. She died at 18.
Why It Matters
Graham Hood stresses that brain-tumour research receives limited funding despite its severity. The charity ride aims to raise resources, improve early detection of cases, and support families facing similar diagnoses.
Official Statements & Responses
Graham Hood said the family first thought the tumour was non-malignant and expected Cara to return to school quickly. He later described the difficulty of distinguishing serious disease from exam stress and noted earlier imaging might not have changed the outcome.
Criticism of Research Funding
Hood calls brain-tumour research “pretty much underfunded” and questions why it receives less attention than other illnesses.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She was complaining about headaches, which we assumed stress related with her doing her exams.” — Graham Hood, Father
- “I'm sure you can imagine, my wife and I have both gone back in our minds and thought 'if we could go back, what would we do differently?' As soon as she started saying 'I've got a sore head', or 'I'm a wee bit off balance', should we have gone to the doctor then? What would the doctor have done? I don't think they'd have done anything. View 10 Images Cara's dad, Graham, and brother Rory, 21, are now undertaking a huge charity bike ride in her memory” — Graham Hood, Father
- “Brain tumour research is pretty much underfunded. I don't know why there's less focus on that particular area of illness, but there just is.” — Graham Hood, Father
- “That was probably the lowest point – we thought that was it, she was gone.” — Graham Hood, Father
What’s Next
On 6 September, Graham Hood and his 21-year-old son Rory will ride the 56.7-mile Tour de 4, aiming to boost donations for Brain Tumour Research and keep Cara’s story public.
