South West superstar the face of a major WA charity, helping raise funds for other kids just like him

A South West superstar is the face of a major WA charity, helping raise funds for other kids just like him. Bunbury nine-year-old Cyrus Pointon is the new face of the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 2025 Tax Appeal sharing his incredible story of survival after suffering two strokes and needing a heart transplant. Concern began with Cyrus’ mother Cherie, who said when they picked Cyrus up from school, they noticed he was exhausted after only short walks. “He’d rest, feel a little better, then crash again. It was really out of character,” she said. Things took a turn on his eight birthday, when Cyrus experienced unexplained fatigue and shortness of breath. He was admitted to Bunbury Regional Hospital the same day. After seeing doctors Cyrus was urgently flown to Perth Children’s Hospital and diagnosed with cardiomyopathy — a rare and serious disease of the heart muscle which can lead to heart failure. Cyrus needed a heart transplant. While waiting on a donor heart, Cyrus suffered two strokes in quick succession with the second causing significant damage, leaving him unable to speak or move the left side of his body. His father Daniel said Cyrus couldn’t talk and his hand was clenched tight. “He had to use a picture board to communicate, it was heartbreaking,” he said. After the strokes, doctors placed Cyrus into an induced coma during which his family were told Cyrus had just two days before his life support would be turned off. Against the odds, Cyrus pulled through, and after months of waiting and a gruelling 11-hour surgery, Cyrus received his new heart. While the transplant saved his life, the strokes left Cyrus with significant weakness, especially down his left side and since late 2024, the nine-year-old has been doing intensive rehabilitation at PCH to regain his strength and mobility. A key part of Cyrus’ recovery has been the use of a robotic rehabilitation device specifically designed to support upper limb movement, which though the funding from PCHF had been able to significantly improve the function of his left hand. PCH senior occupational therapist Jenny Colegate said the new technology would help kids like Cyrus recover faster, regain movement earlier, and improve function in a fun, engaging way. “With earlier intervention, we can achieve better long-term outcomes,” she said. Through his physical therapy, Cyrus has been making remarkable strides, and is now back playing soccer, building strength and enjoying his gaming sessions on the robotic device. Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation chief executive Carrick Robinson urged the WA community to show their support before the June 30 tax deadline. “As WA’s specialist children’s healthcare charity, PCHF is committed to providing every child at PCH with access to the latest cutting-edge equipment,” he said. “It’s about giving WA kids the best start possible — not just in recovery, but in life. “With your help, PCHF’s 2025 Tax Appeal will bring this state-of-the-art robotic rehab device to WA to help more WA kids like Cyrus get well and stay well.” PCHF’s Tax Appeal has already raised $375,000 towards new robotic rehabilitation equipment for PCH, with the goal of reaching $450,000 by the end of this month.