During certain times of the year, when people see Faye Harris coming, they already know what she’s going to ask.

“My reputation precedes me,” she says with a laugh.

For 29 years, Harris has been fundraising for the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Walk. She encourages colleagues and patients to register for the walk, which she participates in every year.

“It’s always a great time,” says Harris. “I get my friends [to join]. I’m trying to recruit more patients; I’m trying to recruit more doctors. I never know who’s going to be there, but it’s always a large group of people.”

The cause impacts Harris personally as well as professionally. She’s worked in cardiology at Allegheny General Hospital in various capacities for 45 years; she’s currently supporting nine cardiologists, a physician assistant and certified registered nurse practitioner. Harris also has several family members and a close friend who have battled heart disease.

In her first year fundraising, she collected a few hundred dollars. Last year, she raised $7,500. The American Heart Association recognized Harris’ 25th year fundraising with an award.

Harris has also been the recipient of the Daisy Award, an honor given to nurses around the world for extraordinary compassionate and skillful care. While recognition is nice, it’s the many patients she’s forged relationships with over the years that keep Harris excited about her work.

“It’s a rewarding job,” she says. “We know whatever we put out, we’re going to get back. We just have to keep plugging away and hoping people do what we tell them to do so we can prevent heart disease in the future.”

With the possibility of retirement in the next few years (much to the chagrin of her colleagues), Harris is now looking to pass the torch. But that doesn’t mean she’s stopping fundraising altogether.

“Maybe when I retire, I’ll be able to put more time [toward it],” she says.