Running with purpose: how Kel turned loss into a legacy
One volunteer’s mission to raise awareness for Huntington’s disease
This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together and strengthen communities to make a difference.
The theme, Connecting Communities, is embodied beautifully by Kel, the organiser behind Running 4 Nan’s HD — a grassroots fundraiser in Brisbane honouring her nan, Isabela, who passed away due to Huntington’s disease (HD).
What started as a deeply personal experience has since grown into a community-driven event raising awareness and support for families impacted by HD.
Kel and her nan, Isabela
“My nan was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease and it has impacted several members of our family. One day, she had a fall and an ambulance officer brought her to my work, assuming she’d been drinking.
I told him she had Huntington’s disease, and he looked at me blankly—he’d never heard of it. That moment changed everything,” Kel recalls.
This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate Kel’s mission to shine a light on Huntington’s disease.
That moment sparked Kel’s mission so that families like hers wouldn’t feel invisible. A runner by passion, she brought together her running circle and the Huntington’s community to create an inclusive event where anyone can participate — whether by running, walking, or even skipping a 5 or 10 km route, in person or virtually.
Kel describes her nan as “the kindest person on earth” and is proud to organise this event as a tribute to her. Since its first run in 2016, Running 4 Nan’s HD has grown steadily, drawing up to 200 participants. With the support of generous local sponsors, 100% of event proceeds go directly to Huntington’s Australia.
Some of the most powerful moments have come from the community connections made during the event. Kel shares:
“After the run, a woman named Angela came up to me with her baby girl. She told me her daughter was the first child in her family guaranteed to be Huntington’s-free. I cried. These are the stories that give people hope.”
Kel’s vision for the future is bold and full of heart. She dreams of a future where more people continue to join Running 4 Nan’s HD, growing the community of support for those impacted by Huntington’s disease.
Her message to anyone thinking of starting a fundraiser or volunteering is clear and inspiring:
“It’s the most rewarding thing we do all year. It’s not just about the person with HD. It’s about the families. The friends. The community. And it’s about making sure no one has to explain this disease to someone who’s never heard of it ever again.”
Now in its 9th year, Kel invites everyone in Brisbane to join Running 4 Nan’s HD on Sunday, 15 June at the Wynnum Esplanade. Learn more and register today.
As we mark National Volunteer Week, Kel’s story is a powerful reminder that community starts with connection, and that connection often starts with just one person willing to make a difference.
