A small Bowling Green child with a big disease will be supported in a large way Saturday.

A “Miles for Molly” fundraiser is expected to bring dozens of runners and walkers to Phil Moore Park, including the chief executive of the Texas-based athletic clothing company that is sponsoring the event.

Julie Millen, an ultra-long-distance runner and founder of Joules Athletics, is traveling to Bowling Green and plans to run 50 miles in the event that starts at 7 a.m.

What prompted this business owner to travel some 1,000 miles to run another 50? Something called neuroblastoma, a form of cancer usually occurring in children age 10 or younger in which malignant cells form in the nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest or spinal cord.

Bowling Green’s Robbie and Chelsea Hughes learned in November that their daughter Molly, who was born last July, had been diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma and had a large tumor on her kidney and liver.

Before having a chance to celebrate her first birthday, Molly underwent chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor. Her mother has stayed with her at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, and her father makes the trip down Interstate 65 nearly every day after a full day’s work at Spectrum Cable in Bowling Green. The Hugheses’ 3-year-old son makes the trip three or four times a week as well, entertaining his little sister in her hospital room.

Although Molly has the surgery behind her, Robbie Hughes says she still has a long road ahead in her treatment.

“She has had a great couple of weeks,” he said. “They removed 100 percent of the main tumor, and the treatments are working.”

Next up for Molly, however, is a stem cell transplant next week in which her own stem cells will be used.

“She will have to stay another four to six weeks in the hospital,” Robbie Hughes said. “She will have radiation and immunotherapy.”

Such treatments are expensive. Even with good health insurance, the bills for deductibles and co-pays, travel, meals and other expenses have been adding up since Molly started her treatments. A crowd-funding website has helped, raising more than $31,000, but friends of the young couple wanted to do more.

That’s where Millen came in. Bowling Green native Amy Steele Russell, who is acquainted with the Hughes family and with Millen, decided to reach out to the philanthrophy-conscious CEO.

“Molly’s grandparents are friends of ours,” said Russell, who now lives in Bell County in eastern Kentucky. “I heard about Molly’s illness on Facebook. I could donate, but I had an association with Julie and knew she could do more. So I called her.”

Millen didn’t need much convincing to organize the “Miles for Molly” event that will include distances from two to 20 miles and registration fees ranging from $20 to $50, depending on the distance.

Millen has done charity runs for many children, including a 100-miler in Michigan to benefit a child with leukemia, so she was quickly on board with this one. She plans to run 50 miles Saturday, weather permitting, and she says all proceeds from the run will go to Molly’s family.

“There are no medals or T-shirts,” she said. “One hundred percent will go to Molly and her family.”

Millen said more than 70 people have registered for “Miles for Molly,” and online registration continues through midnight Friday at this website: runsignup.com/Race/KY/Alvaton/JoulesAthletics50 MilerforMolly.

She said Bowling Green businesses Nat’s Outdoor Sports and Mister B’s Pizza have contributed to the fundraiser, and individuals can contribute on the website even if they don’t plan to run or walk. She expects to raise more than $2,000 from runners alone.

“We want to help out with whatever they need,” said Millen, who has five children of her own. “I can’t imagine what families like this are going through. It’s an honor to do this for them.”

And a blessing for the family, Robbie Hughes said.

“It means the world to me to know that so many people are supporting Molly,” he said. “Whatever money is raised will help tremendously. We really appreciate it.”

– Follow business reporter Don Sergent on Twitter @BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.