Gutsy Walk raises money

On Sunday, the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society Crohn’s and Colitis Committee will present its first Gutsy Walk, part of the national event.

The Gutsy Walk has grown since it began in 1996 and now has almost 80 communities participating across Canada.

The walk aims to raise awareness about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) — which consists of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are inflammatory bowel conditions that include symptoms such as weight loss and anemia.

Walk co-chair Jen Donovan said the committee has raised almost $3,000 this year.

“The event is about raising funds for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, and raising awareness about Crohn’s, Colitis and IBD for members of the Queen’s community,” Donovan, ArtSci ’13, said.

The five- kilometre walk begins at 11 a.m. in front of Stauffer Library.

— Asad Chishti

Queen’s competes in video competition

Queen’s is the only Canadian university to qualify for the top 10 positions in the North American Recyclemania video contest.

The contest asks institutions to showcase how their campus is environmentally friendly through the Spirit of Recycling contest. The contest aims to promote waste-reduction activities on campuses.

Other entries came from American institutions, including Notre Dame, Ohio State and Purdue.

AMS Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainability Adam DiSimine, ArtSci ’11, filmed the video submission in collaboration with the AMS, the Society of Graduate and Professional Students, Queen’s Sustainability Office and volunteers.

The video is based on a commercial featuring popular basketball icons Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. In the original video, Bird and Jordan compete in an exaggerated shooting contest, which is spoofed in the video by replacing basketballs with water bottles.

The contest runs from March 19 to 26 and the winners are determined by the number of likes videos receive on YouTube.

— Meaghan Wray

Students visit Queen’s Park for Media Day

The recent annual Media Day at Queen’s Park meant 18 undergraduate and graduate students were able to meet journalists and politicians, including Premier Dalton McGuinty

Events included a VIP tour of the press gallery at Queen’s Park and a live debate over public policy, which occurred that day for participants.

The event was established in 2004 by the Queen’s Student Alumni Association and also includes a variety of workshops for students wishing to pursue careers in the fields of journalism or public policy.

— Meaghan Wray

Students raise money for breast cancer

Two Queen’s students were recently recognized by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for their exemplary contributions.

Last fall, university students competed in the national Post-Secondary Team Challenge, which took place during the CIBC Run for the Cure. The event strives to bring awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

Poonam Batra, Med ’12, was one of the Queen’s participants last year who raised one of the largest amounts for a post-secondary student.

For this contribution, she received a CIBC Education Award.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, Batra said she was motivated to raise awareness.

Because of her motivation, “Team Purple — Queen’s Medicine and Friends” was created and comprised of family members, friends and colleagues in her department.

The Queen’s men’s rugby team also made significant contributions and exceeded $30,000 in total as each team member strived to raise $150 each.

Colin Greenwood, Sci ’13, received the Team Captain Leadership Award for organizing the rugby team’s contributions.

— Meaghan Wray