Hello! I will be participating in the Winter Pineapple Classic this year in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). 

This will be my 3rd Pineapple Classic, my first was in 2018, while my father, Rich Imperatore, was battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia - one of the most devastating diseases that LLS strives to find the cure for. 

We couldn't save my dad, we lost him on January 24, 2019 - less than 3 months after the event, and less than 5 months after his diagnosis. To paraphrase the words of  his lifelong friend during his memorial service - Leukemia was the only curveball he couldn't hit out of the park. But even in the final weeks he continued to fight and went down swinging.

In May of 2019 I was invited to the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center to meet 2 of the researchers whose work was funded directly by the Washington/Alaska Chapter of LLS. They both gave a presentation on their work and also showed us the laboratory where they'd been putting in countless hours of research for the cause.

If I wasn't already feeling touched to stay involved, this experience really solidified that I needed to keep fighting - just like my dad taught me through his example, not only in battling the disease, but in his approach to all hardship in life. 

I do this not only in honor of my father's life and the battle he fought and lost, but also for the families of others stricken by blood cancer. My hope is that we can some day stop the cycle of disease, pain and suffering that blood cancers inflict on the family and entire social network of anyone afflicted with these diseases.

I will be raising funds throughout the season in the name of funding and finding a cure. Please consider making a donation to not only help me achieve my personal fundraising goal, but to benefit patients and their families everywhere. 

If you'd like to participate in the event or help our team raise funds, please reach out and I'd be more than happy to help you register and set up a page of your own.

What is the Winter Pineapple Classic?

The Winter Pineapple Classic is a fundraiser 5k(ish) obstacle course at King County's Marymoor Park on November 8, 2020. Pineapple is not timed and is a family friendly event. All participants carry a pineapple (provided by Chestnut Hill Farms) and most dress in costume. For raising just $100 I get a long sleeved event shirt and access to the Georgetown Brewing beer garden. Although this obstacle course is a test of physical endurance, it pales in comparison to what blood cancer patients endure. All proceeds raised directly benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and since its inception, this event has raised over $5 million.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and sincere generosity. We Pineapple because beating cancer is in our blood.