Did you know you can donate an organ and live a long, healthy life? KNX Hero Mark Scotch has done it not once but twice, and he's working hard to raise awareness about living organ donations.
He's donated part of his liver and one of his kidneys but still manages to live an active lifestyle as an avid cyclist, and he's found a way to marry his two passions.
He created The Organ Trail, which organizes bike rides highlighting the need for living donors.
"Obviously, it's a great feeling to be able to help somebody at this level," Scotch told Heroes Host Heather Jordan. "Especially with my liver donation, being able to donate to a 9-month-old baby. Now she's 2 years old and will have a life way beyond mine."
On Friday, April 4th, Scotch will be cycling with a small group from Santa Monica to Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, then to Keck Medicine of USC, where he underwent surgery to donate in 2022.
"It's overwhelming at times. But what drives me most is that there is a solution out there. People are dying every day, but we have the solution. It's right in front of us. It's so simple," said Scotch.
There are currently 103,000 people waiting for a transplant in the United States. According to Ernie Villalon, a donor coordinator at Keck Medicine of USC, 90,000 of those 103,000 need a kidney, and 9,400 need a liver.
"It's incredibly uplifting to be a part of these life-changing moments," Villalon said. "You're literally changing someone's life by giving them a second chance."
Villalon, along with his college Mindaugas Galins, RN, will be riding along with Scotch on April 4th.
Although organ donation can seem intimidating, Villalon explained that a thorough physical and mental screening process ensures both the organ's suitability for the recipient and the donor's ongoing health and safety.
Scotch notes that while age limits can exist for organ donation, he qualified to donate at over 60, so don't let age stop you from looking into donating!
Learn more about donation HERE, and connect with The Organ Trail HERE.
Hear more about Mark's heroic story in a special EXTENDED Hero of the Week above.
Check out all our KNX Heroes here.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok