‘They literally brought me back’: Heart disease survivors celebrated at Alaska Heart Run & Walk

Paul Rotkis has been an icon of the Anchorage bike scene for decades, churning up the trails on both mountain and fat tire bikes.

And with the help of medical professionals in Alaska and the Lower 48, Rotkis has been able to return to those trails.

Rotkis, 59, suffered a heart attack in 2021 while riding his bike in Anchorage. It was his second one and much more serious than the one he suffered in 2005.

“That one took my life and they literally brought me back,” he said. “They did CPR on me for 32 minutes.”

On Saturday, Rotkis served as the 2026 Alaska Heart Run & Walk drummer, keeping the beat as hundreds of survivors, supporters and medical professionals celebrated. The walkers and runners in attendance also helped raise funds and practiced lifesaving techniques like hands-only CPR.

After initially being treated and stabilized in Anchorage, Rotkis was airlifted to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland for advanced cardiac nursing.

On a ventilator for two weeks, he eventually started rehab. His left leg was partially paralyzed from mid-thigh down.

“I had to learn how to walk again,” he said.

And while walking was a priority, so was returning to his bike.

“The physical therapist, she asked me my goals,” he said. “I just told her I want to ride my bike and walk again.”

Rotkis put in plenty of hard work and was back on his bike that fall. While he was out, the Anchorage biking community rallied to support him.

“Seeing the support that people had on Anchorage Fat Bike and the mountain biking group. People were doing rides for me, it was like ‘Oh my God.’”

Both in Anchorage and the Lower 48, Rotkis said he received care and support from therapists and staff that got him back on his feet.

“The support I had from our community here was absolutely humbling,” he said. “It helped me get through bad times.”

While much of the focus is on survivors, Rotkis said the Heart Run & Walk is also important to highlight the work that medical professionals do to help people who suffer cardiac emergencies.

“It’s a great way from peer to peer for all of us that have gone through heart events to show support,” he said. “But it also shows support for caregivers.”

A former firefighter, Rotkis now volunteers at the Providence ER twice a week and at the medical park one other time a week.

“My whole mission now is whatever I can do to help somebody, a heart patient or a doc or a nurse, get through a bad time, it makes it all worth it,” he said.

There were plenty of runners and walkers on the course surrounding the Alaska Airlines Center on Saturday. But just as important were the efforts toward lifesaving skills that all Alaskans can employ.

Chrissy Colucci, the executive director of American Heart Association – Alaska, said the event tries to provide support, commemoration and celebration.

“It’s a community event that’s really focused on improving CPR readiness, teaching hands-only CPR, and really celebrating stories of survival and recognizing those that we have lost to heart disease and stroke as well,” she said.

This year’s event had a “Be Extraordinary” area among the vendor expo, which included blood pressure screenings and a tribute wall. There was also a station where participants can learn hands-only CPR, which has been a recent emphasis. There is no certification needed and it’s something anyone can learn in a few minutes.

“About 9 of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital don’t survive,” Colucci said. “It’s something everyone should learn if they witness a cardiac emergency.”