Bonnies Walk To Find A Cure For Cystic Fibrosis

SALAMANCA, N.Y. – The 6th Annual GREAT STRIDES: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis walk, taking place this Saturday, Sept. 17, will bring together hundreds of St. Bonaventure student-athletes, coaches and members of the St. Bonaventure Athletic Department.

Registration for the 1.5-mile walk begins at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, located at 99 Wildwood Ave., with the walk beginning at 11.

Started five years ago by head strength and conditioning coach Darryn Fiske, the walk has become an annual opportunity for the Bonaventure athletic community to give back. Fiske’s six-year-old nephew, Andrew, was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a terminal disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of the body. Forty years ago, a majority of the children diagnosed with CF never made it to kindergarten. While strides have been made since then, the average life expectancy of someone with CF is just 40 years.

Last year, the walk raised $27,000, surpassing the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s goal of $26,000. This year, a goal of $28,000 has been set, half of which Fiske said has already been raised.

Teams which will be participating in the walk include: men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer, lacrosse and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

Anyone is invited to join in the walk and give to the cause. Following the walk, there will be free food, music and raffles.

If you are unable to make the walk, but still wish to donate, please click here to make a secure online donation or to pre-register for Saturday’s walk. For more information, contact Fiske at (716) 375-7683 or dfiske@sbu.edu.