Blood drive June 1 for flesh-eating disease victim
By NICHOLE GOLDENnichole@newnan.com
Friends of Aimee Copeland, the young University of West Georgia student battling a flesh-eating disease in an Augusta hospital, have announced a Coweta County blood drive in her honor.
The blood drive will be June 1 at Heritage Christian School in Sharpsburg.
“Aimee is a lovely person,” said Finocchiaro. “She is so much fun.”
According to Finocchiaro, Aimee once decided she would like to have an herb garden so the Tanner boys helped create a raised garden for her. The garden ended up being something they all enjoyed.
“She always made everyone feel comfortable,” said Finocchiaro.
The blood drive, run by the Shepeard Community Blood Center, will be from 2-7 p.m. on Friday, June 1. The school is located at 3613 Hwy. 34 E in Sharpsburg.
Anyone interested in donating blood, is asked to send an email to: blooddriveforaimee@gmail.com . The drive will also assist other hospital patients.
Copeland, 24, developed a condition called necrotizing fascitis after cutting her leg May 1 in a zipline fall over the Little Tallapoosa River. She has undergone a leg amputation and hand amputations, but has begun breathing without the aid of a ventilator.
Finocchiaro said she now feels like Copeland is an inspiration to so many others. They have not been able to visit Copeland in the hospital, as her visitors are limited to family members. She is receiving care at the burn center at Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta.
