One of the most compelling news stories in our state in recent weeks has been the battle of young Aimee Copeland, the University of West Georgia student, against a flesh-eating disease. She is hospitalized in Augusta.

The young woman developed the condition — called necrotizing fascitis — after cutting her leg in a fall May 1 from a zipline over the Little Tallapoosa River. Since stricken by the unusual disease, Copeland has lost a leg, a foot and both of her hands.

All of us have been following the condition reports from the hospital and from the young woman’s father, who has regularly shared information about his daughter’s condition.

The latest from the father was that Aimee spoke for the first time during the holiday weekend.

Coweta County friends of Aimee Copeland are looking to help the young woman by organizing a blood drive in her honor from 2-7 p.m. Friday at the Heritage Christian School, 3613 Highway 34 East in Sharpsburg. Anyone interested in donating blood is asked to send an email in advance of the drive to: blooddriveforaimee@gamail.com. The organizers say the blood will assist Aimee and other hospital patients.

Cowetans Cory and Kevin Tanner and their mother, Amy Finocchiaro, friends of Aimee Copeland and organizers of the blood drive, said Aimee is “a lovely person ... She is so much fun.”

She has shown a remarkable fighting spirit during her battle with this life-threatening disease. All reports indicate she is a strong, courageous fighter who keeps battling.

We join Aimee’s Coweta County friends in encouraging members of the local community to support this blood drive. In addition, our thoughts and prayers continue for this young woman.