St. John Fisher University Raises $19k for Suicide Prevention

St. John Fisher University hosted its 9th annual Out of the Darkness campus walk on Sunday, April 6, to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The University raised a current total of $19,477 for the AFSP, exceeding the original fundraising goal of $10,000.

According to AFSP staff, 275 participants registered for the walk, with several Fisher teams: Team Gabby, Athlete to Athlete, Wegmans School of Nursing Faculty and Staff, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, The Psychology Club, and Fisher Dance Club.

The AFSP’s connection to Fisher began with Dr. Tara Sacco, chair of graduate affairs, and Dr. Heather McGrane Minton, associate professor of nursing, who both served as board members for the organization.

The Health and Wellness Center hosted a resource fair before the walk, joined by community partners from Goodwill of Rochester and 211/LIFE LINE, NAMI of Rochester, Stop 22 A Day, The Mental Health Association and The Monroe County Partners for Suicide Prevention.

“These partners help with our mission of raising the awareness of suicide prevention resources and help to decrease the stigma about suicide,” said Rebecca Kieffer, director of the Health and Wellness Center. “This is also a community building event where our campus can come together to take part in these efforts to better our campus as whole.”

Many internal contributions were made to the AFSP by the University, including donations by  the Wegmans School of Pharmacy, Wegmans School of Nursing, the School of Education, the School of Business, Lavery Library staff, the Health and Wellness Center, the Office of Advancement, the Office of Campus Ministry, the Psychology Club and Fisher Dining.

The AFSP traditionally holds campus walks in the spring and the Rochester Community Walk in the fall. As a campus partner, the organization provides free training and resources. For more information, visit their website.

The Lifeline for Suicide and Crisis response can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week through both calling and/or texting 988.

This article was written by Brooke Eastman, a senior media and communication major. Eastman currently works in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Fisher for the spring 2025 semester.