A Father’s Mission

Travis Suit’s family is a little different than others. His daughter, Piper, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a young age. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic and progressive disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 60,000 children and adults in the United States (140,000 worldwide). There is currently no cure for CF but with specialized medical care, aggressive drug treatments, therapies, and proper nutrition, those with CF can lengthen and improve their quality of life.

With the Conquer the Rock paddle coming in November, part of The Crossing Adventure Series that raises awareness for the disease and support for those diagnosed along with their families, Coastal Breeze News took a few moments of Travis’ time to sit down and get candid, sharing an intimate side to the disease and life after diagnosis.

Knowing that Piper was diagnosed at a young age, can you recall your first thought when you found out her diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis?

I remember feeling like the ground disappeared beneath my feet. As a parent, you spend your life trying to protect your child, and suddenly you're told they're facing a lifelong, progressive disease that you can't simply fix. There was fear, grief, confusion, and a thousand unanswered questions. But looking back, that moment also became the beginning of an entirely new purpose for our family. We couldn't change Piper's diagnosis, but we could choose how we responded to it.

Keeping the chronic and progressive aspects of the disease in mind, what are some of the biggest changes to your family’s life since the diagnosis?

Cystic Fibrosis changes nearly every aspect of daily life. Treatments, medications, clinic visits, hospitalizations, insurance battles- they become part of your family's rhythm. But beyond the medical side, it changes your perspective. You stop taking tomorrow for granted. You celebrate milestones differently. You learn to find joy in ordinary moments.

Our family has also learned that adversity can either divide you or unite you. For us, it became the catalyst for living with greater intention and for serving others who are walking the same road.

In 2016, Suit had a vision: To create a foundation that benefits families affected by cystic fibrosis, and Piper’s Angels Foundation was born. Piper’s Angels Foundation (Advocacy-Needs-Global-Empowerment-Lifelong-Service) supports those with CF and their family by raising awareness of the disease, bringing critical financial support to families, offering life-expanding activities, and much more.

Wanting to raise awareness and bring support for those struggling with CF, what were your original goals for founding Piper’s Angels?

In the beginning, the goal was simple: help families like ours feel less alone and create innovative solutions for where there were gaps in support.

We quickly realized that families living with CF don't just need hope; they need practical resources. They need financial assistance, empowering tools, holistic health opportunities, peer-to-peer encouragement, and a community that understands what they're experiencing and can give them a voice when they often don't feel heard.

Piper's Angels Foundation was built on the belief that no family should have to navigate this journey by themselves. Over time, our mission expanded beyond financial relief to creating transformational experiences that remind people they are stronger than they realize.

Beginning in 2013, paddles from Bimini to West Palm, then in 2017 from Bimini to Dania Beach, the ‘Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis’ kept expanding. The growth was in participants, distance paddled, and money raised – all in the support of raising awareness for CF.

With the first paddle with yourself and friends, then the next much larger and repeating – after the success of the Bimini Crossing, what were yours and Piper’s reactions?

The first Crossing in 2013 changed both of us. When we landed at the dock after paddling roughly 100 miles across the Gulf Stream, we realized it was never just about completing an endurance event. It had become a symbol of what every family affected by CF experiences, moving forward despite uncertainty.

Seeing an entire community rally around Piper and other families was incredibly emotional. Piper was still young, but she understood that people were crossing an ocean because they believed her life mattered. That's something every child deserves to experience.

Seeing The Crossing and The Crossing Adventure Series growth and reviewing the line-up across the U.S. and in other countries of crossings, what does it mean to you to see so many people coming together to support families and those with Cystic Fibrosis?

It's incredibly humbling. What started with four friends on paddleboards has become a movement that brings together athletes, first responders, business leaders, families, volunteers, and people from all walks of life.

The beautiful thing is that most participants don't paddle because they have CF or know someone with CF, they paddle because they believe someone else's struggle is worth carrying alongside them. That's what community looks like and why the power of community is so healing.

Every Crossing reminds me that courage is contagious. When one person chooses to do something difficult in service of someone else, it inspires countless others to do the same.

This November, the inaugural ‘Conquer the Rock’ is coming to Marco Island and entails a 22-mile paddle all the way across the Island, starting at the beachfront at the J.W. Marriott.

With the idea of the first paddle occurring on Marco Island as a discussion between friends in mind, bringing Conquer The Rock to Marco Island is a big deal! Seeing a crossing this close to home is a special thing. What are you hoping for and from the community as far as involvement?

Marco Island is where the idea for the Crossing For CF took life and evolved into what it is today. It was first born during a conversation with my best friend Josh Ferris, so bringing this new event here feels like coming full circle. Josh is an honorary co-founder of Piper's Angels Foundation and has been instrumental as a leader in our operations and fundraising, and I credit his contributions largely to our success as an organization.

My hope is that the Marco community embraces this as more than just a unique paddle race. It's an opportunity for people of every age and ability to be part of something meaningful. I'm excited we can include everyone in the family, especially with the beach walk category of participation.

Whether someone participates, volunteers, sponsors the event, or simply comes out to cheer, every person helps create hope for families living with CF. Our vision is for Conquer the Rock to become one of Marco Island's signature community traditions, an event that celebrates courage, adventure, and giving back.

In addition to the 22-mile paddle, there will also be a five-mile sprint paddle race and a two-mile beach walk clean-up. The assortment gives those of all fitness levels and interests something to participate in.

The community has already been coming together for the event from sponsorships, involvement on the day, and participation at the event.

With the current local sponsors, 4Ocean, and more lined up, and Josh Ferris’s involvement as the Director of Safety and Logistics, will you be present during the event, and what is your role?

Absolutely! I'll be there throughout the weekend, helping welcome participants, sharing the story behind the Crossing Adventure Series and Piper's Angels, encouraging paddlers before they launch, and celebrating with everyone at the finish.

Our incredible Director of Safety and Ocean Logistics, Josh Ferris, leads the operational side of keeping our athletes safe on the water alongside an outstanding team of volunteers and marine partners.

My role is really about connecting people to the deeper purpose behind the event, because while we're paddling around an island, what we're really doing is demonstrating what's possible when a community comes together for something bigger than itself.

Open to the public through ticket purchases, the After Party will be taking place at Veterans Community Park featuring Rock Republic as the headliner on the evening of November 21. Tickets will be available soon to purchase.

Sign-ups for the paddles can be found at:

www.crossingforcysticfibrosis.com/crossing-for-cystic-fibrosis-adventure-series/

Business Sponsorship opportunities and vendor availabilities can be found by emailing Josh Ferris at: joshferris@pipersangels.org.

Yourself, your family, and Piper seem so resilient and positive. What is something that gives you hope every day?

People and the true essence of the human spirit. Every single day I meet individuals who choose compassion over convenience. I see volunteers giving up weekends, donors quietly helping families they've never met, children raising money alongside their parents, and athletes pushing themselves beyond what they thought possible for someone else's benefit.

Hope isn't just a feeling; it's something we create through our actions. And of course, Piper herself continues to inspire me. Watching her grow into a strong, compassionate young woman reminds me that while CF may shape part of her story, it will never define who she is.

Having brought such support, financial relief, and awareness to many, what would you tell someone who recently found out themselves or a loved one who got diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis?

First, take a deep breath. The diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to carry it alone. The CF community is filled with remarkable families, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and organizations who truly understand what you're going through.

The treatments available today have advanced dramatically, and there is more reason for hope than ever before. I'd also encourage them not to let the diagnosis become the entire story.

Your child is still your child. Your loved one is still the same incredible person they were yesterday. They have dreams to pursue, adventures to experience, relationships to build, and a life to fully live. CF is part of the journey, but it doesn't have to determine the destination.

Stay tuned to The Coastal Breeze News for more on The Conquer the Rock event!