Crossing For A Cure Endurance Paddle Raises $280,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Community

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - June 26, 2018 - PRLog -- The Piper's Angels Foundation surpassed its fundraising goal by $30,000 for the 2018 Crossing For A Cure charity event, raising more than $280,000 for cystic fibrosis awareness and financial support. One hundred paddlers participated in the 75-mile endurance paddle from Bimini, Bahamas to South Florida's Lake Worth Pier – an increase of 66 paddlers over 2017. The collective efforts of paddlers and an additional 100 participating crew members resulted in 2,500 individual online donations.

"The growth over last year is impressive," said Piper's Angels Foundation Executive Director Travis Suit. "It demonstrates that people are seeking new adventures, looking for greater opportunities to travel, experience a different culture and surround themselves with people who want to challenge themselves in a big way. The experience is that much more rewarding when you're with people who have the right attitude and understand their own mission within the greater mission."

The event kicked off on Thursday, June 14 with a send-off social gathering attended by Palm Beach County Mayor Melissa McKinlay. Paddlers and crew members began the trek across the Gulf Stream just after midnight on Saturday, July 16. The crossing took experienced paddlers as few as 12 hours and newcomers close to 16 hours to complete as they battled unpredictable factors like wind and currents that can extend the voyage to upwards of 80 miles. During the day, nearly 500 people gathered for a Landing Party to greet and celebrate the Crossing Crusaders as they arrived. The festivities concluded on Sunday, June 17, when more than 25 awards were presented – from Top Male and Female Solo Paddlers and Top Competitive 4-person and 2-person Relay Teams, to Top Fundraisers and recognition of paddlers with cystic fibrosis.

"It was an epic experience," said Grain & Barrel Spirits Founder, event sponsor, and paddler Matti Antilla. "It was such an amazing experience for everyone. Being able to sponsor and participate as a solo paddler was meaningful on both a professional and personal level. I met an amazing group of people who I'll remain close with long term because of this event."

The flagship event of Piper's Angels, a non-profit organization, raises funds to help ensure improved quality of life for local patients and their families through Piper's Angels Foundation programs. Their voyage across the Gulf Stream was launched in celebration of Suit's daughter, Piper. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 4, Suit found hope and inspiration in learning of the healing benefits of saltwater for cystic fibrosis patients. After learning to paddle and surf as a natural and fun way of healing for Piper, his mission expanded in 2013 when he completed his first 75-mile paddle as a personal challenge to raise awareness. This endurance paddle, which also served as a demonstration to Piper of how one can overcome life challenges and face fear, has now evolved into a movement that encompasses the entire cystic fibrosis community.

Additional information is available online at https://www.crossingforacure.com.

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About Crossing For A Cure:

Crossing For A Cure is the flagship event for Florida-based cystic fibrosis non-profit organization, Piper's Angels. The annual event is a long-distance endurance paddle board challenge that takes paddlers 75 miles from Bimini in the Bahamas to Florida's East Coast. Each year, paddle-boarders help to raise funds and awareness for the chronic disease as they 'stand up for a cure' and cross the Gulf Stream. Crossing For A Cure is a proud member of the Stand Up Paddle Industry Association. For more information, visit www.crossingforacure.com, or contact Travis Suit.

About Piper's Angels Foundation
Piper's Angels Foundation supports and improves the lives of families with cystic fibrosis through heightened awareness, education, life-expanding activities, urgent financial support, and funding critical research. The organization aims to inspire action, make an impact and transform the lives of those affected by this disease. Additional information can be found online, at https://www.pipersangels.org/.