VIDALIA — At only 3 months old, baby Ellis Malone already has her own fan club quickly forming in Concordia Parish.

So when the City of Vidalia began planning a series of 5K parish-wide races, it was no surprise that a race to benefit baby Ellis was created.

Ellis was born with Apert syndrome, a genetic disease that causes the seams between the skull bones to close earlier than normal which can affect the shape of the head and face.

In Ellis’ case, the syndrome left her with a deformed skull and head and some webbing in the hands and feet.

Children born with Apert have a good chance of leading normal lives and reaching normal IQs.

But Ellis will likely have one or two reconstructive craniofacial surgeries a year to allow for brain development and growth. She will also have reconstructive surgeries of her hands and feet to separate her fingers and toes.

Ellis is expected to have her first reconstructive surgery at 9 months old and will continue having surgeries until she is 18 years old.

Shortly after Ellis’ birth, friends and family created the Ellis Malone Foundation and began accepting donations to help cover extensive medical bills parents Heather and Matt Malone were struggling to pay.

Carl Brida, City of Vidalia employee, had already been planning the first 5K race to take place in November to benefit another parish organization.

But after that organization was unable to participate in the race, Brida said baby Ellis quickly came to mind.

“It was right around the time that Ellis was born that the other organization had to close its doors,” Brida said. “This just seemed like the perfect opportunity to help this family in need.”

And even though the race isn’t until Nov. 10, Brida and other organizers are already warming up to get as many donations as possible to benefit Ellis.

Donation jars have been distributed to nearly 35 businesses in the parish, which also have copies of the registration forms for the race nearby.

Registration forms are also available on the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center website, and the Concordia Chamber of Commerce website.

The race entry fee is $35 and donation amounts of $100, $500, $800 and $1,000 are listed on the registration forms.

Participants can register and donate up to the day of the event, but to ensure T-shirt sizes are available organizers ask registrations and donations be submitted by Oct. 8.

Malone said she has already received a tremendous response from friends and family about participating in the race.

“I’ve had several friends from out of town tell me they’ll be coming in town for the race,” Malone said. “It’s just been amazing to see how she’s touched everybody through this and the positive response we’ve seen from the community.”

And even though she was aware the race was being organized, Malone said it didn’t hit her until she walked into a store and saw her daughter on a donation jar.

“You never think you’d see one of your family members on one of those cans,” Malone said. “It was an emotional moment.”

Recently, Ellis completed an extensive audiology test and is hearing all the correct sounds for her age, Malone said.

The Malone family will travel to the Craniofacial Center in Dallas in early August to visit with doctors.

Malone said after the meeting in Dallas, they will decide whether to have Ellis’ future surgeries at UMC in Jackson or in Dallas.

But even with so many decisions to make for Ellis, Malone said she is looking forward to seeing everyone gather for the race in November.

“I’m sure I’ll be an emotional mess, but it’s going to be a very touching moment,” Malone said. “She’s got her own little fan club building up.”