Aimee Copeland (24) was trying out a homemade zip line along the Little Tallapoosa River near Carrollton, Texas on May 1st when it broke, and she fell into the water about 6 feet below cutting open her calf on the rocks. She went to the doctor who closed the wound with stitches, which then cut off all the oxygen to the internal tissue allowing an extremely rare flesh eating bacteria that lives in water called Aeromonas hydrophila to start growing out of control causing a condition called necrotizing fasciitis.

As of today surgeons amputated her leg, and will likely cut off her fingers and other foot, to prevent the infection from spreading further. She is also breathing with the assistance of a ventilator. On average 60 percent of patients die from this rare infection. Her father Andy Copeland told ABC affiliate WSB-TV:

“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. The most important thing is my daughter is still alive.”

In 2009 Mariana Bridi da Costa (20), who represented Brazil in the Miss World beauty pageant, contracted another more common but still rare bacterial infection, lost her hands and feet in an attempt to save her life, but she still died.

All that can done now is for everyone to provide Aimee with the lifelong support she will need if she survives.

Life is a precious gift. Don’t take it for granted even for a day.

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