The Georgia graduate student who is battling a vicious flesh-eating infection continues to astound doctors with her progress and her supporters are joining her fight to live.
Aimee Copeland, 24, has already lost her leg to a virulent bacteria she contracted while zip-lining with friends in Carrollton, Ga. and is at risk for having her fingers amputated, too. But doctors continue to offer up optimistic prognoses, and Copeland’s friends and family members are banding together to improve her chances of surviving, myfoxatlanta.com reports.
The Blue Steakhouse restaurant, where Copeland was a bartender, hosted a fundraiser Saturday to raise money for her medical expenses. On Tuesday, students held a blood drive, and Copeland's other employer, the Sunnyside Café, is hosting a fundraiser for the young fighter on Friday, according to AJC.com
Copeland’s resilience has even inspired complete strangers to get involved.
The United Community Bank stepped in to set up “Aimee’s Fund,” and Connecticut singer-songwriter Cory Durkin wrote a song about the 24-year-old, which was inspired by her father’s Facebook post "Southern Belle". Durkin is slated to perform the song at a fundraiser in Georgia, HLN reports.
"I hope it lifts you up,” Durkin says in the video, “and just know that my thoughts and prayers and the thoughts and prayers of so many other people around the world are with you, and we're rooting for you."
Copeland’s family continues to express how the outpouring of support has uplifted them.
“Thank you so much for your prayers and support for Aimee,” Copeland’s father wrote on his blog. “I promise you that you will one day see and hear the power of your prayers when Aimee delivers her story from her own lips. I await that day with intense anticipation.”
To get involved in Copeland’s fight, consider making a donation to Aimee’s Fund. Checks should be sent to United Community Bank, c/o Aimee’s Fund 119 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30117. Find out how you can make donations via PayPal here.