CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A local nurse who risked her own life to save a baby from a fire has been named the Registered Nurse Hero of the Year.
The award was presented to Cathy Akbari by Bayada Nurses, a national home health care agency.
Akbari suffered second- and third-degree burns in the fire on May 3, 2010.
She was trapped on the second-floor of a home off West Boulevard with a premature baby she was there caring for. Akbari had to drop the child to neighbors who were waiting below, and then ultimately she had to be rescued by firefighters.
She was on a ventilator for several weeks after the fire, but has since made a full recovery.
The baby only sustained minor injuries.
Akbari accepted the national hero award in Philadelphia last weekend.
"This is a tremendous honor," said Akbari, as she accepted the award. "Thank you for praying for me, visiting me, and sending me cards, and letters. I believe that's why I am here today."
