For approximately 30,000 children in the United States and about 70,000 worldwide, the effects of Cystic Fibrosis can be a devastating diagnosis and leave parents and their children with a feeling of emptiness.
In November 2011, Travis Suit’s four-year-old daughter Piper began to exhibit symptoms of the ailment and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of CF. Suit made it his life’s mission to fight back by devoting himself to raising money for research dedicated to finding improvements in the treatments available and maybe someday a cure. And that is how the Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis came to be, now in its 11th year. The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis is a paddleboard challenge where participants paddle from the Bahamas to Florida, all while raising money for Cystic Fibrosis.
Josh Ferris has been by Suit’s side since the Second Crossing and today serves as the Director of Safety and Ocean Logistics within the event that has grown considerably.
“Travis and I met by chance and became great friends when attending a Jimmy Buffett concert a number of years ago,” said Ferris. “His grill fell off the back of his pickup on the way to the concert, so he and I teamed up using my grill for the pre-concert event in the parking lot. It began a great friendship.”
This year, approximately 200 paddleboarders will make that same journey on Sunday, June 23rd, for the 8th Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis to benefit the Piper’s Angels Foundation. That day, paddlers and volunteers will put it all on the line for the cause. They do so by paddling across from Bimini to Lake Worth, Florida, and raising money as pledges for their special quest.
Ferris recalls one of his first events as a paddler with the organization. He was joined by Bob Marvin and the late Lt. Clayton Smith, both of whom served as officers with Ferris. Also joining them was Ryan Rump, the son of Clayton Smith, who was visiting from Ohio with his family. The vessel they used that year in support of Ferris was owned by Paul Doppelt from Naples.
“I couldn’t have done it without these guys; they were my rock,” said Ferris, speaking about his support team and his plans for this year’s event.
Currently, there is no cure for cystic fibrosis. However, specialized medical care, aggressive drug treatments, and therapies, along with proper CF nutrition, can lengthen and improve the quality of life for those with CF.
Visit www.pipersangels.org and learn how you can help by donating or volunteering for this very worthy cause.
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