Wellness is the overall focus of The Crossing and Piper ’ s Angels Foundation . So , it ’ s no accident that the event takes place on a stretch of salt water . Salt water is known to have health benefits for CF patients .
Garden of Life is one of the sponsors of The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis . Tatiana Tims is the development director for Piper ’ s Angels Foundation . Her sister-in-law has CF , so she knows all too well what it ’ s like to watch a loved one suffer from such a complicated disease . Tims says being aligned with like-minded sponsors and participants has allowed the foundation and the crossing to evolve into the heartwarming event it has become .
“ Only because of companies like Garden of Life , our organization has grown and we love their energy ,” says Tims , who along with Suit , welcome experienced and novice paddlers to The Crossing . “ The Crossing is life-changing , so we say get involved for the challenge , stay for the cause .”
With so many people passionate about the CF community and Piper ’ s Angels Foundation , Garden of Life ’ s mission is closely tied to the foundation ’ s mission . The partnership with Garden of Life was fortuitous , since members of the foundation were longtime fans of the brand and had been using Garden of Life protein powder and turmeric for years .
The event has drawn celebrity support , too . Jimmy Buffett is on the foundation ’ s advisory board . The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis begins near his home in the Bahamas and ends near his home in Florida . Suit and Buffett met when Suit was bartending , and Buffett invited him to go surfing for his birthday . As the friendship blossomed , Buffett was all too happy to help .
“ The Crossing is a tidal wave of emotions and community wrapped in a big event — what begins with one moment , five days in the Bahamas , leaving in the middle of the night to paddle home — it ’ s a world class experience for participants ,” says Tims . “ When I first met Piper , she was 11 years old and what I have witnessed is Piper blossoming — but also I have been very humbled because I ’ ve never once seen her complain — she has accepted her diagnosis with such dignity .”
Research has extended CF patients ’ lives but there is still not enough support for CF families going through those challenges . It wasn ’ t long before Suit transitioned from volunteering to part time and then full time — hiring Tims to run development and Aiyana Sugerman to manage operations .
What CF patients must endure just to survive is daunting . Breathing treatments three times a day , pills and hospitalization multiple times .
“ CF people , knowing they are facing mortality and told they will die at an early age , how they become such well-rounded people and how they face treatments is inspiring ,” says Tims .
When Piper was four years old , doctors warned Suit that she would one day need a feeding tube because she was underweight . Four years later after multiple lung infections , Piper learned she would indeed have to have a feeding tube .
“ Having to share that information , Piper started crying , and after 30 seconds of crying , she let that emotion pass . Just to watch her process that and the courage to witness it , she is just way ahead of her time ,” says Suit , who marveled at the daughter who bravely attended sleepovers and cheerleading during that time , powering through it . “ I say things to her like , ‘ Piper you are the best ,’ and she says , ‘ Dad , we are the best ’— she ’ s just an old soul .”
To participate or support Piper ’ s Angels
Foundation and The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis , begin with a visit to the websites , pipersangels . org and crossingforcysticfibrosis . com . Register for the event online and follow social media for updates . Participants can rally to paddle solo or as a team , recreationally or competitively . Boat captains can also participate with boat support .
“ One of the most surprising things about this event is that it is a paddle event which has become the biggest recreational boating event in the Bahamas ,” says Suit . “ People use their boats for fun and pleasure , but not as often for purpose , so it ’ s because of our captains and boat owners that we can have 200 paddlers with a boat for each team .”
Piper recently celebrated her 14th birthday . As an active teenager , she is beginning to turn a corner in terms of taking her health into her own hands . She is thriving and continues to turn her challenges into opportunities to empower others .
For more information , visit pipersangels . org .
Extraordinary Health ™ • Vol 42 7