Donating
Spares Needed!DAY 14 – May 12
📍 Washington → St. Louis
🚴♂️ Miles: ~60
Rolling into a major milestone.
Had a busy end to the day yesterday trying to find a camping spot, but the journey kept moving forward. Mark was joined by longtime mountain biking friend Greg Bean, who rode alongside him on the Katy Trail and again today as they rolled into St. Louis. Mark and Greg first met years ago while living in Madison, Wisconsin, and have shared many rides together over the years.
Today’s ride leads into Event #3 at the SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital Healing Garden – another opportunity to share the mission, connect with the community, and keep the momentum going.
📍 EVENT 3: May 12
SSM SLU Hospital Healing Garden
1201 S Grand Blvd
St. Louis, MO
⏰ 2 PM
From Krista Lentine at SSM Health
💙💚 Moments from Mark Scotch’s #OrganTrail 2026 visit to SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital on May 12, 2026 🚴🏼♂️🏥🩺
🎥 Watch the event highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxhOUdj4mOA&t=831s
❤️A heartfelt thank you to Mark Scotch for visiting SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and for sharing his remarkable cross-country Organ Trail journey to raise awareness for #OrganDonation and Transplantation. 🚴🏼♂️🌎💫
The Organ Trail brings together #LivingDonors, #transplant recipients, clinicians, and advocates committed to saving lives through donation and expanding access to transplantation.
Our special event includes:
🙏 An opening prayer & reflections on hope & healing
💙 A moving living donor testimonial from Mr. Scott K.
🚴🏼♂️ Mark Scotch’s inspiring Organ Trail & donation story
🏅 Presentation of gifts and community recognition
📸 A closing photo slideshow celebrating connection and gratitude
The messages throughout the event were clear:
✨ #OrganDonation and #transplantation are not only medical achievements – they are human stories shaped by generosity, courage, and community.
We are grateful for the extraordinary patients, donors, donor families, clinicians, coordinators, surgeons, nurses, social workers, advocates, chaplains, administrators, and researchers who make this work possible every day. 💙💚 Cody Wooley | Samantha Kamp | Holly Schlachter | Holly Schaefer Jackson | Shannon O’Brien Yount | Kathy MacLaughlin | Henry B. Randall | Uchenna Agbim | Rengin Elsürer | Nourhan Houjeij | Kunal Malhotra | Aliza Anwar | Kelly Baumer | Kim Henrichsen | National Kidney Foundation – Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas | Donate Life Missouri 🤝🏽
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — Pablo Picasso
🦋 #OrganTrail2026 #DonateLife #LivingDonation #KidneyTransplant #Transplantation #OrganDonation #SLUHospital 💙💚
📍 St. Louis → Illinois
🚴♂️ Rolling into the next state after an incredible stop at SSM Health SLU Hospital. More photos and stories from today coming soon.
Crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois tonight with purpose still leading every mile forward.
✨ Fun fact: The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in North America and has served as a major transportation route for centuries.
One conversation. One ride. One story at a time.
✨ Fun fact: St. Louis is home to the iconic Gateway Arch, the tallest monument in the U.S.
