New Ipswich truck gathering, 5K support Isaac Phillips and his family

Families from New Ipswich and beyond lined up Friday evening in the Mascenic Regional High School parking lot to patronize food trucks which had all come together in support of Isaac Phillips and his family.

Isaac has a rare form of cancer, and proceeds from the food trucks went to support the family.

“The whole Phillips family has been involved in the town – coaching, teaching, and the like, so it’s great to support them,” said Jessica Fortier of New Ipswich, whose son Joseph had Debbie Phillips, Isaac’s mother, as a fifth-grade teacher.

Lines stretched from the front of the Mascenic parking lot to the row of spaces closest to the school by 6 p.m. Students from area schools sported T-shirts in support of Isaac over sports uniforms. Students said that the T-shirts were handed out at the schools, and some were on sale at the event.

“It’s great to see the community come together for this, ” said Dan Israelson, who showed up with his dog Ellie.

Jodi and Shawn Gregroire of Heavnly Dogs traveled from Chelmsford, Mass., to support the Phillips family and serve a line which had well over 100 people in it at one point..

“We enjoy doing it,” said Jodi Gregoire. “We’re helping out the boy. I’m a mom myself.”

In 2021, Isaac developed a limp during basketball season, which was subsequently diagnosed as synovial sarcoma, a form of cancer that attacks muscles and ligaments. Surgery and chemotherapy led to all-clear notice from doctors in 2023, but proximity to his spine made it difficult to safely remove all the malignant elements of the tumor, and the cancer has returned. Isaac started school this past fall, but continued only until October and now communicates with his classmates online.

In January 2024, help for the 13-year-old and his family came via a Mascenic-Conant basketball tripleheader to support and raise money for the family. In a town the size of New Ipswich, everyone at Friday’s event seemed to have a story of interacting with the Phillips family.

“We love Isaac – he’s super nice,”  said Maya Oliveira and Kianha Farrey, completing each other’s comment about their classmate.

The support continued Saturday morning with a 5K race in New Ipswich. Seasoned runners, classmates, parents and a number of entrants pushing strollers paid a $20 registration fee to line up behind the tennis courts at Town Field for a 9 a.m. start.

Jessica Blais and Becka Lyons were registering runners right up to the start.

“Lots of people paid more than simply the $20 required to support the family,” Blais said.

Amy Robbins, who taught Isaac in the sixth grade at Boynton Middle School, warmed up near the starting line, admitting that she is not a runner, but that “He’s gone through so much — and he’s so strong. It’s nothing for me to do this to help out.”

Michael Tandus of New Ipswich was also new to such an event.

“This is my first 5K – I wanted to lend my support,” he said.

“In the course of your 3.1 mile-trek, please reflect and pray for Isaac,” Blais told the crowd before shouting “Go!” She said that just that morning, the route had to be changed slightly because the original path had become too muddy with recent rains.

Lyons is a member of the Monadnock Milers running club, and has coached at Mascenic previously. She said that the high school’s track team was disappointed that they had to leave for a meet at Sanborn before the race started, so they couldn’t participate.

As runners crossed the finish line,Tim Blais handed out water donated by the Country Mile store in Greenville. Island Bowls of New Ipswich donated gift cards to the first finishers in the divisions of male, female and unsupported youth. William White of Essex, Vt., crossed the line as the first finisher. White said that his mother grew up in Amherst, and that they were back in town during the Vermont vacation week. Elizabeth Vachon, White’s mother, who didn’t finish far behind, said “We knew we’d be nearby, so here we are.”

Lara Matthias of Peterborough was the first female finisher with a time of 17:44.

The first unsupported youth across the line was Romeo Maki. Accompanying him were Josh Saari and Leanne Maki, pushing a stroller with Giovanna Maki. 

“We were talking about praying for Isaac, and told the kids that we were thinking about running to support him. They were excited about it. And we’re not runners!” said Maki.

Asked about the turnout at the previous evening’s food truck event and on Saturday morning after she cross ed the finish line, Laurie Hennault said she was not surprised.

“It’s a great cause – we love the family. My grandkids play with Isaac’s brother,” said the Jaffrey resident. “People here don’t care if they don’t know you. They’ll still come out to support you.”