They seem at first to have little in common: the woman in north Scottsdale, the Ahwatukee Foothills residents and businesses, the workers at Honeywell and Motorola, even alumni from Purdue University.

But all are rallying around Ben Stokman, an Ahwatukee Foothills boy fighting a rare childhood blood disease that could be life threatening. Wednesday was his first birthday.

To raise awareness about Ben's disease and others like it - and to raise money for research - the hodgepodge of people are helping in one way or another to create "Ben's Run."

The event on Dec. 8 at Papago Park in Phoenix will include a certified 5K run, a 5K walk, a one-mile "fun run" and a 100-yard dash for kids.

There will be everything including a silent auction, firetruck display, the Ahwatukee Foothills Concert Band and a visit from Santa.

The hope is to attract at least 700 people and raise at least $40,000 through registrations, donations, silent auction bids and corporate sponsorships. All proceeds will go to the Histiocytosis Association of America.

Local businesses are trying to help, from donations to buying sponsorships to having their name displayed at the event. An Ahwatukee Foothills Kinko's agreed to help with printing, while Valley running stores are spreading the word and setting out brochures.

Others contributed silent auction items, including an autographed Arizona Cardinals football, a free pizza a month at Peter Piper Pizza, America West Airline tickets and guitar lessons.

A committee meets weekly to plan, and countless others are involved in some way.

Ben's parents, Bill and Carolyn Stokman, are touched.

"It's been pretty amazing," said Bill, 33.

"We're just blown away by how many people really care. It's unbelievable," added Carolyn, 32.

Beth Kozura, Carolyn's running partner, ran with the idea of organizing a race for Ben. Beth and Carolyn trained together for several marathons, so they became close. They sometimes would drive to Flagstaff by themselves, run for a few hours, and then head home.

"You spend a lot of miles talking," Beth said, and that bond made her want to do something to help. She thought the run would be a way to honor Ben, and a way to raise awareness. "I knew the run would mean a lot to Carolyn."

At first, the hope was for a fun run, just to get a lot of people to show up and show their support.

But the event that now is so complex grew from something so simple, and in a way, that mirrors what happened to Ben.

It all started when Ben's left eye swelled shut. Tests found lesions on his brain. Also, what seemed to be cradle cap actually was skin lesions. Ben also started having episodes where he would go limp and stare off into space.

In May, about six weeks after first going to the doctor because of the eye swelling, he was diagnosed with JXG, or Juvenile Xanthogranuloma. The disease is part of the histiocytosis family of diseases.

Ben has eight brain lesions and about 10 skin lesions, and has spent 50 nights of his one year of life in the hospital, had four surgeries and made two trips to see specialists in other states. He has been on chemotherapy since Mother's Day.

He had six weeks of one kind of chemo and things looked good. But a scan several weeks later showed more lesions, and others had grown. He since switched to a new chemo and had more scans Wednesday, on his birthday.

Good results would mean he can have another six weeks of the new chemo. Bad results, and it's back to the beginning. His pediatric oncologist at Phoenix Children's Hospital said Ben's case is potentially life threatening.

All the while, he remains a giggly little boy quick to smile.

"It's a real test in patience," Carolyn said. "We have to be guarded."

That's another reason the couple wants to help the histiocytosis association. When Ben was diagnosed, "they were there for us," Bill said, helping to educate the parents about the rare disease and sharing contacts and information. One of the keys, he said, was simply "knowing that you weren't alone."

Though JXG is rare, others, including some in the state, have forms of histiocytosis. The race, Bill said, is as much for them as it is for Ben.

"It's called Ben's Run, but it's really about the disease."

As the planning continues and the date slowly approaches, Kozura said she's not exactly sure how many people will show up.  "We have no idea what to expect as far as turnout goes," she said. But she is pretty sure of one thing. "I think it will be very emotional for everyone involved. They'll be overwhelmed by the support."

Reach the reporter at chris.fiscus@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-7942