By Taylor Hale
STEVENS POINT – Mark Scotch of Plover has made both local and national headlines over the last few years for his generosity, support for organ donors, and his monumental bike trips, but the Portage County local isn’t done yet.

Hot off the heels of winning the USA Today Best of Humankind Award for the triumph of the year for his 1,600-mile bike ride from Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts back to Plover. Scotch made the trip to raise awareness for kidney disease and kidney donations, and to prove that people who donate their organs aren’t slowing down.

“When I donated my kidney, there was a stigma about donating and how it hindered your life,” Scotch said. “I wanted to prove that people who donate live life the same.”

Scotch donated his kidney in 2020 after meeting a stranger on a trip who needed a kidney. The Plover man generously offered him his kidney, and in a heart-warming display of humanity, continued with the procedure.

But Scotch isn’t done with his mission of spreading the need for kidney donors, yet. He has been touring schools and speaking to children on the topic, and has another big ride in the works.

“Around the end of next year I am planning to bike from San Diego to Denver City, via Phoenix, and Albuquerque,” he said.

Scotch will then head back to Denver City, ending up in Galveston, TX sometime in the winter of 2023.

Mark also plans to participate in the Arrowhead 135 winter race on Jan. 31.

To learn more about Scotch and his efforts, look on StevensPoint.news.