A Northumberland boy who was given a terminal cancer diagnosis has had an "amazing" birthday party with family and friends he has made at the Great North Children's Hospital at the RVI.
Cyrus Henderson turns 13 on July 16 but his birthday party was held at the Newcastle United Foundation on Saturday July 1 with around 20 people in attendance, including his mum Kizi and siblings Shay, Jonathon and Cheyenne. The 12-year-old, from Amble, was diagnosed with an aggressive strain of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in February 2021.
Against the odds, he went into remission after a CarT transplant but then relapsed on July 15 2022, a day before his 12th birthday. On June 7, his mum Kizi received the heartbreaking news that Cyrus has just months left to live.
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The Newcastle United Foundation's e-sports arena was picked as the perfect place for Cyrus to celebrate his birthday, as a keen gamer who loves his Xbox. At his party, he spent time playing Fortnite and according to mum Kizi, he could have stayed for much longer.
Kizi told ChronicleLive: "It was absolutely amazing, at first he got a bit of a shock but I've never seen him so happy in a long time. He really enjoyed it.
"He knew about it but I think when we got in and all the decorations and all the balloons people had set up ready from him, he didn't expect that."
Cyrus did receive some gifts and presents but most of his close family are waiting until his actual birthday later this month. And though his mum says the day was amazing, it was bittersweet.
Kizi said: "It was so exciting to see them all happy and having fun and chilling out. But then remembering why we're doing this, there's that bittersweet feeling."
More things are planned in the time Cyrus has left, with his family wanting to make as "many memories as possible". And Kizi says that the reaction in the community has been amazing.
One person has even installed secure fencing on the Henderson's garden at home in Amble, so Cyrus can sit out in the warm weather in privacy.
She continued: "I'd just like to thank everybody who's made this so magical and made all this happen for Cyrus, I can't say how thankful I really am. It's very humbling and we just want to make more memories for him."
Cyrus's GoFundMe has now surpassed £2,800, with any funds left over from the party going towards creating more memories and to his family. To donate to Cyrus's birthday fundraiser, visit the GoFundMe website.
