Trails4Transplant: Saddle up to raise awareness for organ donation
Each year, a special group of riders and volunteers gather on horseback, united by a mission to spread hope, healing, and the importance of registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor.
Trails4Transplant (T4T) began in 2013 when Roger Hille — whose son-in-law received a life-saving liver transplant — and Ashley Peterson, a LifeSource Ambassador and donor family member, decided to raise awareness one trail ride at a time.
What started as a single ride in Warren, Minnesota, has grown into an annual event that rotates between Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Over the past decade, riders have covered more than 2,500 miles and raised nearly $400,000 to support education about donation and encourage people to register their decision to give the gift of life.
This year’s ride was hosted at the beautiful Korkow Anchor K Ranch near Pierre, South Dakota. Over the course of three days, more than forty riders each day saddled up to cover about 40 miles of trails — raising over $21,000 to help families and communities learn about organ donation and transplantation.
What makes Trails4Transplant special is more than the miles. It’s the stories shared around the campfire, the questions asked on horseback, and the friendships formed year after year. Many riders have been part of T4T since the very beginning, creating a close-knit community committed to saving lives through education and advocacy.
Dedicated volunteers, planners, and generous host families make each ride possible. Thanks to them, the event continues to grow and inspire.
The 14th annual Trails4Transplant ride is already on the calendar for May 2026 in St. Anthony, North Dakota.
Want to follow their journey or join next year’s ride?
Visit Trails4Transplant’s website or follow them on Facebook to stay connected.
Events like T4T remind us that by working together, we can make a difference — one mile, one conversation and one new registered organ donor at a time.
Thank you for helping share this message of hope within your own communities!