"The most important thing is my daughter is still alive," says Andy Copeland.

But the life that his daughter Aimee, 24, will have is nothing like what she knew a week ago.

Right now the Gwinnett County woman is fighting off a flesh-eating disease that keeps taking body parts.

Copeland is a student at West Georgia College. She picked up the bacteria known as Aeromonas hydrophila when she fell off a home-made zipline May 1 and injured her calf.

She was taken to a hospital in Carroll County where doctors closed the wound with 22 staples. But that wasn’t the answer. She kept going back to the doctor as the pain continued. On Friday, a friend took her to the emergency room when she became pale and weak.

That’s when paramedics rushed her to the Joseph M. Still burn center in Augusta.

The flesh-eating bacteria entered through that wound in her calf. Doctors have had to amputate Copeland’s leg to save her. Now it looks like Copeland will lose her other foot and both hands.

"I couldn't conceive of what it would be like for my daughter to lose her hands and the only other foot she has as well and that appears to be what is going to happen," said. Mr. Copeland.

Doctors say Aimee is sedated and does not know what has happened to her body. But despite the threat of losing more limbs, her condition is improving.

"We talked to her earlier this morning and she was just remarkable, coherent and she really could sense what was going on around her," Mr. Copeland said.

A neurologist says there is no indication of brain damage and while the cardiopulmonologist reports that her lungs are slowly healing.

Neighbors coming to her aid

While Aimee is being treated in Augusta, she is getting help from her neighbors in her hometown of Snellville.

The South Gwinnett Rotary Club -- of which the elder Copeland is a member -- is organizing two blood drives to show its support for the family.

Organizer Louis Young tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish a bus will carry up to 40 people next week to Augusta to donate there.

“They would donate directly to the supply facility and based on matches of blood types… some of the people may very well be donating blood that she uses,” he says.

Young says another drive is also being planned locally.

“I have been gratified and very pleased by the way this community has rallied around one of its own,” he says.

Aimee's older sister Paige donated blood for her Thursday.

Anyone interested in taking part in either event is asked to keep checking the South Gwinnett Rotary’s Club’s Facebook page.

A blood drive is also being organized for Aimee at the University of West Georgia gym. It will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday May 15.

Friends have established Aimee’s Fund at United Community Bank for donations to help defray medical costs

Fellow students hold vigil

Back at University of West Georgia, students, friends and faculty sent up prayers for the 24-year-old Thursday evening.

"We were all able to say a word that reminded us of Amy, and that was our prayer that would reach her so she knows and would feel our presence," fellow graduate student Richard Lafleur told Channel 2's Erin Coleman.

Aimee is just about to complete a master’s degree in psychology at West Georgia.

Family and friends say she has always been fun-loving, driven and smart.

"To know Aimee's life, to know the life she was full of, to know the state she's in today, is very devastating to us," Lafleur said.

But news of Aimee's improving condition has made it to the campus.

"I feel wonderful that she's enjoying her music and responding to her family and knows that we all love her and getting an idea of the outreach. It's awesome," student Lee Phether said.