RENO, NV - If you were to pick the face of heart disease, a blond, blue eyed 48 year old woman would not come to mind.

But that’s Sue Dechesneau

She is a bypass, multiple heart attack, and heart transplant patient.

“What I have is a genetic condition, and its one of those things. I can't control with my lifestyle. Its all through medications. Even at that it didn't do the trick," says Duchesneau.

Consider her knowledge, her willingness to comply with medical orders, her decision not to smoke, her commitment to exercise, still Sue still needed a heart transplant in July of 2010.

Most women with heart disease don't have as much going for them.

Few even understand that heart disease and stroke kill one in three women each year.

That is the reason for Wednesday’s meeting involving the Reno Go Red for Women committee and their supporters.

While they wear the powerful color in Red now, they want everyone to wear the color on Friday to bring awareness to heart disease and stroke.

Local businesses are also participating in Go Red this year, on Friday Pegs Glorious Ham and Eggs will serve red pancakes, and the Grand Sierra will be illuminated in red until February 29th.

Peg’s will donate 100% of all red pancake sales to the American Heart Association.

National Wear Red Day is this Friday February 3rd.