Amy Carr, the former England youth international goalkeeper who represented Arsenal, Chelsea and Reading during her playing career, has passed away at the age of 35 following a prolonged fight against a brain tumour. Brain Tumour Research confirmed the news on social media, paying tribute to the footballer who earned 16 caps for England at the youth level, progressing through to the Under-19s. Carr received her diagnosis of a high-grade brain tumour in 2015 after blacking out after seeing a spider, an extreme reaction that prompted her to seek medical attention. An MRI scan revealed a tumour the size of a golf ball. She told the BBC at the time: "I knew I didn't like spiders, but blacking out seemed like an extreme response. I'd never reacted that way to anything before." Doctors performed a craniotomy to remove as much of the growth as possible, leaving Carr unable to walk or speak for eight days. She then underwent radiotherapy, chemotherapy and extensive physiotherapy to regain her mobility and speech. Despite the severity of her condition, Carr achieved something extraordinary in 2024 by completing the Dublin Marathon on behalf of Brain Tumour Research. Her efforts generated £28,718 in donations to support vital research into the disease. The tumour she battled was a grade four astrocytoma, and she had believed herself recovered until experiencing blurred vision and slurred speech following a routine check-up in 2024. Doctors delivered devastating news that the tumour had returned, and her illness was terminal. She was given between six and nine months to live. Brain Tumour Research paid tribute to Carr in a statement, saying: "Amy showed incredible strength and determination after being diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour in 2015.#amy_carr #brain_tumour_research #dublin_marathon #hertfordshire #justgiving
Former England international and Arsenal, Chelsea star dies aged 35 after brain cancer battle A former England youth international and former player for Arsenal Women, Chelsea Women, and Reading Women has passed away at the age of 35 following a prolonged battle with brain cancer. Amy Carr, who represented England at the Under-19 level, was diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour in 2015 and fought the condition for nearly a decade before her death. Carr’s diagnosis came after she collapsed at the sight of a spider in 2015, leading to an MRI scan that revealed a tumour the size of a golf ball. She underwent surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but the cancer returned in 2024. Doctors discovered the tumour had regrown after she experienced symptoms such as blurred vision and slurred speech during an annual check-up. In August 2023, she was told she had terminal brain cancer and was given a prognosis of six to nine months to live. Despite her illness, Carr remained active in raising awareness and funds for brain tumour research. In 2024, she completed the Dublin Marathon to support Brain Tumour Research, raising £28,718. The charity announced her passing on social media, praising her “incredible strength and determination” and expressing gratitude for the awareness she helped create. Tributes poured in following her death, with fans and colleagues remembering her resilience. One person wrote, “Very sad to learn of this. May Amy’s holy soul rest in the sleep of peace.” Carr’s career spanned her time with top-tier women’s football clubs, and her legacy includes both her contributions to the sport and her efforts to advance research into brain tumours. Her family, friends, and fans continue to mourn her loss, highlighting the impact she made both on and off the pitch.#amy_carr #arsenal_women #chelsea_women #reading_women #brain_tumour_research
