Two promising Nelson athletes in their sporting prime faced the most challenging time of their lives when they received life-threatening medical diagnoses. That experience has led them to support the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust and join the Run for Rānui team at this year’s Christchurch Marathon on Sunday 12 April.
Brodie Seelen (22) and Izzy Thurlow (21) share more than their hometown and a passion for competitive sport. They grew up knowing each other through family connections and sports activities, exceling in their chosen codes. Both were well on the way to achieving so much more when serious illness got in the way.
At 16-years-old Brodie completed the 2020 Coast to Coast as one of its youngest ever competitors. Two weeks later he was facing another gruelling race – aplastic anemia – a rare, serious condition where bone marrow fails to produce enough red blood cells. Over the next two years he underwent a bone marrow transplant and prolonged medical treatments at Christchurch Hospital.
Izzy, a competitive swimmer and 2023 half-Ironman participant, had just commenced tertiary studies in medical imaging when osteosarcoma – a bone tumour on her fibula – was diagnosed in 2025.
Both travelled to Christchurch for life-saving medical treatments which meant long stays at Rānui House and Rānui Apartments. During that time Rānui became a true home-away-from-home for them and their families – a place of comfort, care and steady support with a friendly shoulder to lean on whenever they needed us.
“These two young guns are an inspiration to us all,” says Mandy Kennedy, CEO of the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust. “They’ve gone through so much and for them to be supporting Run for Rānui as a way to give back to us, is genuinely heart-warming. We feel incredibly grateful and proud to have them alongside us.”
Retreat to Rānui
“It was good to know that mum (Karla) had somewhere nice to go home to in Christchurch,” says Izzy. “I was ten months in and out of hospital so our stays at Rānui were a lovely escape. They had everything we needed especially when I was managing a wheelchair and crutches.
“Mum and I had our moments, but we made the most of the time together. Rānui enabled us to establish a routine – like visits to favourite food spots and Sunday pilates before the next day’s treatment. My brother, sisters and boyfriend could also visit which was really important for us all to come together.”
Brodie agrees that Rānui provided a retreat from the intense periods of treatment and time in hospital, allowing him to be close with his family when facing the toughest time of his life.
“It’s not on every 16-year-old’s bucket list to be diagnosed with cancer and living at close range to your mum and dad. Especially me being an active, sporty type always training for the next race, it was hard to get my head around not going out for a run. For me, the mental challenge was as hard as the physical one,” he says.
“Our two-bedroom Rānui apartment meant I could have my own space and privacy. Mum and dad could be with me on the entire journey which was pretty amazing. I’m so thankful that Rānui made all that possible for us.”
The Run for Rānui Race
Izzy and Brodie are both participating in this year’s Christchurch Marathon with new perspectives and refreshed mindsets on living life to the full. Enjoying the race is more important to them than winning it, nowadays.
Izzy is signed-up for the 10km walk having only completed her surgeries and treatment in early 2026. Resuming her medical imaging studies this year and working towards getting back to training as a Les Mills group fitness instructor, her focus is on getting out, having new adventures and making things happen!
Five years post-transplant Brodie is running the half-marathon having slowly built-up his exercise training over the last few years.
“I’ve gone through a life-changing experience involving both my body and my mind,” he says. “It’s brought to life what’s important – you don’t know what you’ve got until it is taken away.
“As an active relaxer I’ve had to dial things down which has been hard for me. It’s less about getting the best running times and more about being in the moment. I am really grateful to be here – and to be helping Rānui as they were there for me when I needed it most.
My competitive itch is still there, though. I’ve got some unfinished business with the Coast to Coast! We’ll see what 2027 brings.”
