10th Annual 'Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis' Set

(Press Release) Jupiter, Florida  – Over 100 paddlers will cross the Atlantic Ocean overnight on June 13, from Bimini, Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach, Florida, to support Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis through a non-profit, Piper’s Angels Foundation.  In celebration of its 12th anniversary, The Crossing supports the families of those suffering from cystic fibrosis. 
 
Participants in Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis depart for Bimini on June 10 by boat.  At midnight on Friday, June 12, they depart Bimini on stand-up paddleboards, prone paddleboards, kayaks, outrigger canoes, surf skis, row boats, and the occasional hydrobike, paddling all night in the dark, and arriving to Lake Worth Beach, Florida some 12-16 hours later.  The paddlers are greeted by thousands of friends and family members in a beachside celebration on Saturday, June 13. 

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The charity and The Crossing were founded by Travis Suit whose daughter Piper, now 18, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age four. An avid paddler himself, he learned about the benefits that salt air has for those with this chronic, and often fatal, disease.  As he joined the CF community, he was inspired to help other families in his situation care for their loved ones.
 
“From expensive yet lifesaving medication to hotel stays near hospitals to support at home, cystic fibrosis families need help,” said Travis.  “In recent years, the lifespan for those with cystic fibrosis has greatly expanded due to new medications, as well as research showing the benefits of fresh, clean air and salt air.  But there are so many families in the world, who don’t have access to medication, advanced medical care, and even clean air.”
  
To date, The Crossing has raised more than $5 million.  The funds are used to fund programs including “Urgent Financial Assistance” for families, “Forever Stoke Scholarships” introducing kids with CF to ocean water sports, “Unmasking Mindfulness” an eight-week meditation program, “Inspire Breathworks” an online breath coaching program to help improve lung function, “Care Packs” for hospitalized individuals with CF, “Peer to Peer,” a mentorship program, and “Angels Abroad”, collaboration with other CF nonprofits to provide and deliver critical resources to children with CF in underserved countries.  Last year, 458 families throughout the world were served through Piper’s Angels Foundation.
 
The participation categories include both competitive and recreational with both solo and relay paddle team options.  Each team is accompanied by a safety boat in which volunteers ensure that the paddlers have nutrition, hydration, and are kept safe during the crossing.  A team of safety personnel will accompany the boats and paddlers and the Coast Guard is notified of the float plan.
 
The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis’ Title Sponsor is Celsius Live Fit.  Lake Worth Beach icon Benny’s on the Beach is serving as a Sponsor with a VIP tent set upon the beach for arriving paddlers.  The full list of sponsors is:
 
SPONSORS
·      Celsius (Title)
·      King Ocean Shipping
·      Diamante Medical Skin Care
·      Athletic Brewing Co
·      Bahamas
·      Buoy
·      Centella
·      City of LWB
·      Legal Graphic Works
·      Marine Industries Association of PBC
·      MVW nutrients
·      Power Design
·      Valhalla Boat Sales / Viking
 
IN KIND
·      4ocean
·      Abaco polarized
·      Benny's on the Beach
·      Black project
·      Blueline Surf & Paddle co
·      Bogaert Boards
·      Endeavor Wealth Management
·      Flying fish
·      Game on Race Events
·      Hampton water wine
·      Hextronics
·      Imperial point
·      JSX software
·      Maker’s air
·      SharkBanz
·      The Buzz Agency, powered by 2TON
·      Seakeepers Society
·      Tropical Ocean Airways
·      VitaCoco
·      WOW MARCO ISLAND JET SKI TOURS & RENTALS
 
About Piper’s Angels Foundation -- We are a CF family, fighting for other CF families.

Our vision is to provide the most socially innovative solutions to the cystic fibrosis community to empower each individual and family to live their greatest life possible.
We encourage those who are fighting this battle courageously to reach out to us with ideas on how we can better serve our community.  Learn more here.
 
To learn more about Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis, see here.  To register see here.  See here to donate or to volunteer.