Isaac Parris may be the toughest kid I’ve ever met.

When I met him at his Montgomery home back in September for this story, he seemed just like any other six-year-old. He was excited to show off his Star Wars Lego sets to me, and less excited about eating the vegetables his mom was making for dinner. In talking with his first-grade teacher this week, I found out that Isaac is like that in class, too – upbeat, fun, and friendly to everyone.

Which is amazing, because if I’d been through what he’s been through over the past year, I’d probably be crumpled in a heap somewhere. In June, Isaac was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer. Since then, he’s gone through surgery to remove the tumor, months of radiation treatments, and three rounds of chemotherapy, with a fourth one underway. 

Isaac may be taking a lot of this in stride, but the bills are piling up. So I’m writing this to remind you that today, you can help.

If you eat at Culver’s, at 2781 Route 34 in Oswego today, you’ll be donating money to Isaac and his family. 10 percent of whatever Culver’s takes in today will go right to the family, to help with medical expenses. The benefit was set up by Lakewood Creek Elementary School, where Isaac attends, and fifth-grade students will serve food during the day. 

The benefit is going on all day, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. I think this is just a great thing, and a fine way to help out a really deserving young man who has been through more than any kid should have to.

I knew when I met him that Isaac would beat this thing, that he’s going to come through it just fine. Today, I’m going to help that happen. I hope you can, too.