In the fall of 1996, Bianca Pires, a Kendall Campus student in her first term, collapsed on campus and was rushed to Miami Children's Hospital. Diagnosed with severe pulmonary hypertension, Pires then began her struggle with the deadly disease that leaves its victims breathless and that she continues to fight today. These days, Pires must be careful not to walk too many long distances, and she is prohibited from going to the beach due to the fact that she gets too tired and her medical equipment could be damaged by the water. Presently, Pires is taking over 30 pills daily, and she must take potassium medication to help her blood circulation, which has been damaged by the disease. Although attending classes has become much more difficult, Pires has remained strong and hopeful and is glad to be back in school, where she is a major in business administration.
School is much harder now.
Pires said that before the illness, she was able to attend school and have a social life. Today, she must keep her activities to a minimum. Although she must work twice as hard now, Bianca still prefers working to staying home. Back Issues Follett College Stores, USA Today and Aramark Campus Services have partnered to sponsor the sixth annual Collegiate Challenge, a campus-based national advertising design contest to promote literacy through grassroots volunteer efforts. The contest challenges college students to design an advertisement encouraging individuals to volunteer their time teaching others to read.