Wisconsin man's 'Organ Trail' ride raises kidney donation awareness
MILWAUKEE - A Wisconsinite is raising awareness for a cause close to his heart, literally – and is doing it on two wheels.
It was a grand exit from the Lake Express ferry Tuesday, Oct. 12 for Mark Scotch. He is in the last few of a 1,600-mile kidney donation awareness journey called "The Organ Trail."
"Just trying to finish up and get the last few miles in," Scotch said. "Started to learn about kidney donation – I just didn’t realize that 13 people die every day because they don’t get a kidney."
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Scotch is a kidney donor himself. The 65-year-old is cycling from Massachusetts to Wisconsin to raise awareness about kidney disease and living organ donation.
"I really wanted to get the message out that hey, anybody that wants to do this that can qualify can become a kidney donor," said Scotch. "I wanted to demonstrate that an old guy can still ride a bike for a month straight with one kidney."
Mark Scotch (R) participates in "The Organ Trail" to raise kidney donation awareness.
The cyclist rode from the ferry to Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Tuesday where he was greeted by members of the kidney transplant team.
"The ripples are going, and we’ll just hope for the best," Scotch said.
Mark Scotch (kneeling, right) participates in "The Organ Trail" to raise kidney donation awareness.
The trip started on Sept. 19. With about 200 miles left, there is no finish line for the message of kidney donor awareness.
"I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, so you just keep planting those seeds," said Scotch.
Scotch is scheduled to return home to Plover on Saturday, Oct. 16. It will mark the end of his second "Organ Trail" journey.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
Featured
Milwaukee mural honors Hank Aaron, Tommie Aaron
A new mural depicting Hank Aaron and Tommie Aaron, both of whom played for the Milwaukee Braves, has been installed in Milwaukee.
Featured
Plane crashes in Waukesha, left from Timmerman: FAA
A small airplane has crashed in Waukesha, officials confirm for FOX6 News.
Featured
Wisconsin committee to vote on creating 250th anniversary commission
A Wisconsin Senate committee is set to vote on a bill that would create a commission that would lead the state’s portion of the United States’ 250th anniversary.