2023 Bay For Breath

Melissa Pappageorgas loved the ocean. She was a surfer, a daughter, a ukulele player, a sister, a planner, a wife, a singer, and a friend… she was all of this and more. She also happened to have Cystic Fibrosis. However, she worked hard not to let her diagnosis define her.

In 2017, two of Melissa’s friends approached her with an idea. For their 50th birthdays, they wanted to paddle across Monterey Bay, but they wanted it to be more than just a personal challenge. Instead, they were hoping to turn it into a fundraiser for The Living Breath Foundation. Their idea was to train, fundraise, cross, and be done. Melissa had other ideas. She saw this as a special opportunity to fundraise and build awareness for CF and promote love and care for her beloved ocean. She turned their idea into an annual event with determination, hard work, and joy.

Although we lost Melissa to CF at the end of 2018, her spirit has remained strong with us every training paddle, every crossing, and every breath. She shaped the Bay for Breath Crossing into what it is today, and we are honored to continue to carry on her event. Over the years, it has raised over $200,000.

For this year’s Bay for Breath Crossing, we are attempting to raise $65,000. Please consider supporting our paddlers in this meaningful event with an online donation.