Carrollton restaurant holds fundraiser for Aimee Copeland - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

There was an outpouring of support on Friday night for Aimee Copeland, the University of West Georgia graduate student who is battling a flesh-eating bacteria she contracted after a zip lining accident.  Dozens who know her came together in Carrollton to raise money to help fund her medical care, and there are more benefits planned to support her.  

Copeland, 24, is one of three people with a Georgia connection who is fighting a form of the potentially fatal disease.  Her family has been trying to get the word out about how a simple cut can be so devastating, and on Friday, there was word that Aimee herself is staying positive despite her struggle.

On Friday, Aimee's father Andy posted on his Facebook page that Aimee had been told she would lose her hands and her foot.  Her parents say doctors have already had to remove her left leg and part of her abdomen to save her life.

Andy posted on Facebook that he told Aimee "your mind is beautiful, your heart is good and your spirit is strong.  These hands can prevent your recovery from moving forward. The doctors want to amputate them and your foot today to assure your best possible chance of survival."
   
According to her father, Aimee smiled and raised her hands up, carefully examining them then mouthed, "Let's do this."

Aimee's father says his daughter shed no tears or batted an eyelash but he was crying because he is a proud father of an incredibly courageous young lady.

At Carrollton's Sunnyside Café, Aimee is well-known and well-loved.  She worked as a waitress there while she attended the University of West Georgia, and customers and friends gathered to help raise much-needed funding for her treatment.  The event was organized by Gary Duke, who own the restaurant and music hall next door.  He, like many, has been keeping up with Aimee's progress on her father's Facebook page.  

Duke says there will be more events held to benefit Aimee in the next few weeks.  On Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m., Sunnyside Café will host a benefit auction, and next Saturday, there will be another concert held to raise money for Aimee.  

Also in the works is "Aimee's Blood Drive," which is being organized by the South Gwinnett Rotary Club on May 21.  It will be held at First Baptist Snellville inside the Family and Children's Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you're planning to attend, you're asked to register for planning purposes. To register, click here!

For more information about the blood drive, visit https://www.facebook.com/southgwinnettrotary or email info@southgwinnettrotary.org.