Sisters team up to help boy, family

McCOOK, Nebraska -- What the future holds for the Casillas family of McCook is uncertain.

But two McCook teen-age sisters want to alleviate some of their worries -- by helping them meet some of the expenses associated with the medical care for the family's 6-year-old son.

"Isaiah doesn't look sick," 14-year-old Moriah Payton says. "Isaiah's always happy, and noisy, and loud. He doesn't look or sound sick." She blushed, "He says I'm his girlfriend."

But the 6-year-old is very ill, and the prognosis is not good as he fights for his life against an extremely aggressive brain cancer. "It's really rare -- only six people in the world have it, and no one survives," Moriah said.

Moriah said that Isaiah's dad, Patrick, couldn't wake Isaiah up on a morning in March, and he's developed seizures since. Doctors in Denver have given the little boy four to six months to live.

Hospice care is being arranged so Isaiah can come home.

Isaiah Casillas is undergoing treatment for a rare brain cancer at a hospital in Denver, where he clowns with his sisters, 14-year-old Mia and three-year-old Mercia. (Casillas family photos)

The Casillas family moved to McCook a year ago from North Platte. Isaiah was a kindergartner in Beverly Klein's class at McCook Elementary.

Moriah and 17-year-old Miranda are very good friends with Isaiah's older sister, 14-year-old Mia. "Mia called and asked for help ... she's my best friend," Moriah said.

Moriah and Miranda see the immediate needs of the Casillas family as the family stays in Denver and away from Patrick's and Emily's jobs at Valmont in McCook. They girls are doing this to help their friend, Mia. They're only faintly aware that they're also doing this because their own family went through much the same experience.

Miranda's little brother and Moriah's twin, Dustin, was five years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Neither one of the girls remembers too much -- both were young, and Brian and Mary protected them from much of the medical intricacies and the day-to-day worry. Dustin survived, and now has only yearly check-ups -- check-ups that also mean family trips to the zoo.

In part because of those experiences, Miranda and Moriah are growing up with very giving hearts, and want to help, especially when it's their friend who asked.

Miranda and Moriah have placed donation jars at AmPride and at the New Life Christian Book Store in McCook. They've opened an account for the Casillas family at Great Western Bank at 211 West C, across the alley west of J.C. Penney's and across the street north of Wagner Ford-Mercury-Toyota.

Miranda and Moriah say that Isaiah is like any little kid and loves to give hugs and get mail. Mail can be sent to Isaiah at: Isaiah Casillas, 1010 Lakeview Blvd., North Platte, NE 69001. The family hopes to be there by the end of the week.

The Payton sisters hope everyone will pray for Isaiah. They say, "Thank you, and God bless."