BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - A nurse in Birmingham, coping with the death of her son and facing her own health struggles, was recently honored with the DAISY Award — given to nurses who go above and beyond the call of duty.

While she’s grateful, she hopes her story can help save more lives.

Catherine Perry’s son was in his 20s when he died of a heart attack.

According to the CDC, there has been a 66% increase in heart attack rates in people 18-44 years old.

Now, Perry is raising awareness about the risks while taking care of her own patients.

Every day, Perry walks down the halls of Encompass Health Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital where she works as a Registered Nurse III. The same place, just over a year ago, she received a call no mother ever wants to get.

“My son told me one da

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