Pineapple Classic debuts to fight cancer

Teaching others was always a passion for Katie Brennan. After her first year as a teacher in Baltimore, the 24-year-old was looking forward to new classes with even more enthusiasm.

But as the bell rang on the first day of school in September 2011, Brennan was home with her parents in Merrick, going through chemotherapy for lymphoma.

“It was surreal and I thought, ‘This can’t be cancer,’” said Brennan, who discovered a lump on her neck in early 2011 and later found out she had cancer of the lymphocytes. “I didn’t think this could happen to me at such a young age, but I’m so lucky I caught it early.”

Brennan said she now does whatever she can to give back to help those with a disease she knew nothing about just last year. She ran as a survivor on the “Lymphin’ Ain’t Easy” team at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Long Island Chapter’s inaugural Pineapple Classic 5K on Sunday.

The race, which took place on the New York Institute of Technology’s campus in Old Westbury, featured an obstacle course and Hawaiian-themed costumes.

“I’m so fortunate to be able to run today,” said Brennan.

More 400 participants ran, hopped through tires, climbed walls and negotiated inflatable obstacles with their team members to raise money for patient care and research.

“It’s fun, encourages teamwork and spreads awareness all at the same time,” said Alyssa Rimland, campaign coordinator for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The goal for the race was $100,000, and the society is estimated to exceed their goal when donations close on May 15, said Rimland.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society holds events throughout the year including hikes, marathons and a “Light the Night” walk in October.

After the obstacle course, runners gathered for food, free massages by Coram’s Beck Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Coram, and live music. Tina L. Nelkin, 55, of Woodbury, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2003, was the survivor speaker at the closing ceremony.

“Fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has helped me regain my strength,” said Nelkin, who said she has raised about $40,000 for the society.

Brennan, Nelkin and other survivors at the race agreed that they couldn’t have gotten through cancer without the help of family and friends.

“I’m just so happy I have an amazing support system,” said Brennan. “They are all with me here running today.”