DETROIT – Shirley Demmer of Northville, Mich., was just 54-years-old, and in seemingly perfect health, when she suddenly collapsed and died from a brain aneurysm in November 2007.
Shirley's daughter Jackie Demmer was just 20 years old at the time.
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"She was my best friend, so you never want to lose your mom or best friend," said Demmer.
No one knew that Shirley's mom had died of a brain aneurysm, and that meant Shirley was at risk too.
"Ever since then, after losing my mom, I've just wanted to make sure that doesn't happen to anyone else. If we can get as much awareness out there as possible so that other people know what to be looking for, then no one else has to go through what my family has," said Demmer.
According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, one in 50 people will develop a brain aneurysm in their lifetime, but if it's caught early, a brain aneurysm can be treated before it ruptures.
Aneurysms can be hereditary, and since her death, Shirley's family has had MRIs to check for problems. Demmer said Shirley's sister and a niece have both needed surgery to repair aneurysms.
Now the Demmer family is trying to raise awareness through Congress.
"There's a House resolution we're trying to get passed so that September is nationally recognized as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month. So we're really trying to get the attention of our representatives and senators," said Demmer.
Shirley's family is urging everyone to sign the online petition supporting the resolution. They're also trying to win support from Vice President Joe Biden, who is himself a brain aneurysm survivor.
Demmer said they want to honor her mom's memory by helping save lives.
"I think she would be really proud," said Demmer. "I think she would obviously want us to be raising awareness, and be really proud of all of our efforts."
To learn more about brain aneurysm and the warning signs, click here.
To sign the petition supporting the brain aneurysm awareness resolution, click here.