Aimee Copeland, who is fighting for her life in a Georgia hospital after contracting a flesh-eating bacteria, was upgraded Tuesday from critical to serious, the hospital said.

A hospital spokeswoman said Copeland's vital signs were no longer unfavorable, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The announcement comes a day before a blood drive is to be held for Copeland by The University of Georgia, where blood donors will have the chance to sign a card for the 24-year-old, which the Red Cross will then mail to her family.

Copeland's infection has led to the amputation of her hands, part of her abdomen, one leg and both feet. In a major milestone, she spoke on May 27 for the first time since she became ill.

The University of West Georgia psychology graduate student was kayaking down a creek with friends in Carrollton on May 1 when she stopped to ride on a homemade zip line along the water.