Permian Basin news anchor honors late wife with role leading local Go Red for Women® initiative
ODESSA, Texas, March 17, 2025 – Nearly half of women ages 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the No. 1 killer of women.1 Because of his passion for improving women’s heart health in the Odessa-Midland area, First Alert 7 news anchor Jay Hendricks will serve as the volunteer chair of the 2025 Permian Basin Go Red for Women initiative.
Launched more than two decades ago to increase women’s heart health awareness, Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s global movement designed to serve as a catalyst for change to improve the health of women. This year’s Go Red for Women movement and its local achievements will be celebrated from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, May 7 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. The theme is Give Heart Disease the Boot.
Hendricks lost his wife, Susan, to a heart attack in 2023. His goal is to save others and their families from the same grief.
“It is important to make sure that women understand that as caregivers, they think of others first,” said Hendricks. “They ignore their own symptoms to care for others.”
Susan Hendricks had rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. On top of that, she was a smoker. All three factors made her susceptible for a heart attack. Jay Hendricks learned this while attending a Laura W. Bush Institute event last fall.
“I never knew this and feel we missed something,” Hendricks added. “If I could save one life, then I did not do this in vain.”
Since losing Susan, he and his two adult children have undergone testing for heart disease and make a conscious effort to spread awareness to others.
Hendricks joined First Alert 7 as the main anchor in September of 2006 and shares the desk with co-anchor Mary Kate Hamilton for the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. He is a four-time recipient of an Associated Press Best Anchor Award. Before joining First Alert 7, he was anchor-reporter for the NBC affiliate in Midland for 13 years. He was also the local sports director for the NBC station for more than seven years.
CVD is the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined, and continues to be women’s greatest health threat.2 According to the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, as women grow and change so does their risk for CVD. Unique life stages like pregnancy and menopause can affect that risk. The good news is the majority of cardiovascular disease incidents can be prevented through lifestyle changes and education. Through Go Red for Women, the Association calls on all women to take charge of their health and encourage other women to do the same. Because when it comes to their health, women have the best resource: they have each other.
“This is an important message that needs to get out to women,” Hendricks added. “Since my wife’s passing, I have learned of others who also lost their lives to a heart attack.”
“We are incredibly grateful for Jay and his unwavering passion and dedication to the Go Red for Women movement,” said Jane Baker, vice president for American Momentum Bank and a member of the Permian Basin executive leadership committee. “He leads by example through his commitment to raising awareness and advocating for women’s heart health, and because of this he is making a significant impact on our community.”
In addition to women’s health, the local luncheon will bring awareness for CPR education. The American Heart Association's 2030 goal is to increase the number of people who perform CPR on someone in cardiac arrest from 40.2% to over 50%. The Association also aims to ensure that all cardiac arrest victims receive high-quality CPR within one minute and AED application within two minutes.
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health. The Permian Basin Go Red for Women Luncheon is locally sponsored by presenting sponsor Medical Center Health System, CPR sponsor H.E.B., infant CPR kit sponsor EOG Resources inc., silver sponsors Atmos Energy, Community National Bank and St. Joseph's Home Health Inc. Media support is provided by First Alert 7 and Lamar.
For more information contact Ashley.Quintana@heart.org or go to heart.org/permianbasingored
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Cyd King: cyd.king@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
