There’s Good News: Bend motorcyclist and sidecar sidekick hit the road with key message about organ donation

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- If you see a man riding around Central Oregon on a classic motorcycle with a big poodle in the sidecar, stop: He wants to talk to you about something very important.

Max Orsini and his service dog Gnocchi are spreading the message of Orsini's charity, Ride4LifeNW, by traveling around the state to raise awareness of the need for organ donations.

Orsini, a two-time organ recipient himself, knows it's difficult to talk about death. But he says it's important to have discussions with your family.

Many people don't realize most organ donations do not happen because the family interferes, Orsini said.

"When there is that moment of grief, the family hesitate or the family could say, 'Please don't talk to us about this issue right now. I don't want to know.' And that's where most of the time, the process stops," he said.

Orsini will be gearing up for his next ride around the state next month. There's a send-off party at the Audi showroom on Friday May 22nd from 4-6:30 p.m. After that, Max will do a circuit around the state, visiting hospitals.

KTVZ News will be keeping an eye on Max, as he's working on another record-breaking trip.