2,000-mile bike ride for organ donation awareness concludes at AdventHealth Porter

Mark Scotch, an organ donor and avid long-distance cyclist, has traveled more than 8,000 miles across 21 states since 2021, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of organ donation. His most recent ride on his ‘Organ Trail’ took him from Los Angeles to AdventHealth Porter in Denver, covering more than 2,000 miles.

Mark first came up with the idea for these bike rides seven months after donating his kidney to a man he met in Louisiana. During his inaugural ride, Mark travelled from Wisconsin to Louisiana, where his donated kidney was received.

Mark has picked his routes based on the path of his organ donations, his wife’s kidney donation and the National Kidney Registry (NKR) voucher program.

The voucher program allows a living kidney donor to choose the most convenient time frame for their kidney donation surgery and provide one or more vouchers to people who can then be prioritized to receive a living donor kidney through the NKR if or when they need a transplant.

“When I learned that 13 people die every day waiting for a kidney transplant, the idea of an awareness ride came to me,” said Mark. “I thought that if I didn’t know that fact, there were probably many others who didn’t either.”

This latest ride to AdventHealth Porter follows the path of a piece of his liver that he donated to a little girl in Los Angeles. Due to his age, Mark had to donate in Wisconsin and Denver is halfway home. His goal is to finish the ride in 2026.

“I knew Denver would be a great spot to end this ride and maybe start the next one because of the connections,” said Mark.

One of those connections is AdventHealth Porter Lead Transplant Coordinator, Jessica Coleman. Jessica met Mark last year and later heard his unique idea to help raise awareness for kidney donation and to recognize AdventHealth Porter as one of only two hospitals in the state included in the NKR.

“At first, I thought he was crazy for riding that long but then he went over how he originally did his first long ride, and I knew he could do it,” said Jesscia. “He is trying to get the word out there to help as many people as possible.”

That’s his why. Mark considers the 2,000 mile ride the easy part. The hard part is ensuring his message reaches as many people as it can during these trips because you never know who will want to donate next.

“I want to do the best I can because it might sound crazy, but I don't want to miss an opportunity to spread my message since that might cost a life,” said Mark.

For those considering becoming organ donors, Mark has a simple but heartfelt message: “The most important thing is to go get tested. You don’t have to commit to anything, but starting the process can make all the difference. At any time, you can stop for any reason, but you’ll never know unless you take that first step.”

Coleman echoed this sentiment, highlighting Mark’s unique ability to inspire trust and confidence in potential donors. “His mission shows people that they can return to their previous health and activity levels with just one kidney,” she said. “Mark is actively dismantling myths about donation, and it’s huge for people to see a living example of what’s possible.”

As Mark continues his advocacy, his message is clear: every effort matters, every mile counts, and every donor has the power to save a life.

Click here for more on Mark’s story, here if you’d like more information on the NKR and here to learn more about the AdventHealth Porter Transplant Center.