Hundreds of people turned out to a blood drive to help a Georgia graduate student fighting a rare bacterial infection.
Aimee CopelandCARROLL COUNTY, Ga. -
Hundreds of people turned out to a blood drive to help a Georgia graduate student fighting a rare bacterial infection. Aimee Copeland is fighting necrotizing fasciitis.
Copeland, 24, contracted the infection after a zip lining accident on the Little Tallapoosa River on May 1. Doctors amputated her left leg and for days she was near death. Doctors say her fingers may be next to be amputated.
Copeland is a graduate psychology student at the University of West Georgia.
The blood drive was held on the UWG campus from 2 to 7 p.m. The Shepherd Community Blood Center had expected around 200 people, but so many people turned out that some had to be turned away.
Aimee's parents, Andy and Donna Copeland, were instrumental in organizing the drive not just for their daughter, but everyone in need, according to Pamela Rascon of the Shepherd Community Blood Center.
Donors said they were moved by Aimee's story.
"As a mother, it touched me very much because you send your children off, you think everything's going to be OK, and then something like this tragic happens," said Lesley Baskette, who was donating blood.
Another blood drive will take place next week for Copeland. The South Gwinnett Rotary Club is hosting the drive at the First Baptist Church of Snellville on Monday, May 21. The blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the church's family and children's center.
Organizers of Tuesday's blood drive said there will be another one held at the same location on June 1 from noon until 5 p.m.
