The 'From The Heart' feature series takes an in-depth look at St. Bonaventure student-athletes and coaches. Named for the beloved Merton's Heart that overlooks campus, this series will tell the stories of Bonnies athletic programs on and off the field.

Nearly two decades ago, Andrew Herrick, nephew of St. Bonaventure director of strength and conditioning Darryn Fiske, was born with the condition Cystic Fibrosis.
 
For those who do not know, Cystic Fibrosis, also known as CF, is a disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system in the body. Although there is no official cure for CF, tremendous progress has been made.
 
Before the 1980s, life expectancy for many CF patients was to live into their 20s. Today, life expectancy has almost tripled. Some of this progress has been made thanks to events like the annual Great Strides walk in Salamanca organized by Coach Fiske.
 
Roughly 15 years ago, Fiske and his family attended an event for CF, but believed they could do more to help the cause.

"We went to an event in Ellicottville, and we went there and while it was great and it raised a lot of money, it did not feel like an event, it was more corporate sponsored than it was grassroots. So, what we did was start a walk in Salamanca at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, and it has grown tremendously," said Fiske.
 
Every year, hundreds of St. Bonaventure athletes take part in the walk to support the cause.

"Some years we have had the whole [Bonaventure] athletic department there... I have kids [ask] when is the walk this year coach? It's almost a kind of tradition," Coach Fiske stated.
 
With the large crowds come the donations.

Fiske aims to raise over $25,000 in this year's walk, and they have raised over $500,000 over the history of the Great Strides event. The funds raised through the walk go directly to fund CF research and treatment.

"This is a family thing. I'm just proud to be part of it. We're determined to find a cure for CF. Because of the donations, my nephew is prospering and living a healthy life," Fiske said. "The support we've had from the Bonaventure community goes back to our Franciscan values. Our students are more than athletes; they care about their community. We're all one community."

This has led to a direct impact on his nephew Andrew Herrick. Herrick is now down to one treatment today and will be entering his sophomore campaign with the Hilbert College basketball program.
 
That donation number has also led to Fiske being honored as the 2022 CFF Buffalo Region Volunteer of the Year.

Fiske is looking forward to positively impacting more lives through this year's event.

The Great Strides walk takes place this Saturday, Sept. 7 at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church in Salamanca.
 
Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the walk beginning at 11:00 a.m., and food, auctions, and activities will be available after the walk.
 
"Cystic Fibrosis used to be a death sentence," Fiske said. "Nowadays people with CF are living into their 60s and 70s because of new treatments."
 
For those interested in donating to cause please click here. Donations will be accepted toward the cause through December for those who cannot attend Saturday's event.