East Tennessee Kidney Foundation (ETKF) is bringing you a one of a kind race and festival to the downtown scene in Knoxville! This race will start and end in the heart of downtown Knoxville from the Worlds Fair Park where runners can hop right into the Knoxville Shamrock Festival after finishing their run/ walk. You wont want to miss this spring morning downtown with all the festivities of St. Patricks day! The Knox Shamrock Fest begins at 10am, so be sure to bring friends and family to run or walk, then PARTY WITH ALL THINGS GREEN AND IRISH!
RACE COURSE UPDATE –> Due to peaking construction projects in South Knoxville the course has been relocated to Worlds Fair Park.
Thats right, this race kicks off from Worlds Fair Park! The course will be an out and back along 2nd Creek Greenway, feature the Neyland Drive greenway before spinning around to repeat it all back again into the Worlds Fair Park Lawn where the festivities will await your finish!
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EVENTS
PROGRAMS
WHAT IS KIDNEY DISEASE?
BRINGING VITAL KIDNEY
CARE TO EAST TENNESSEE
Our Mission
East Tennessee Kidney Foundation, Inc.™ (ETKF) is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the lives of East Tennesseans through early detection of kidney disease, education, and access to vital care. ETKF proudly operates independently and is 100% LOCAL. We are not affiliated with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).
All funds raised by ETKF remain in our community, directly supporting local individuals battling kidney disease. As a registered 501(c)(3) organization, ETKF channels all resources towards fulfilling our mission, ensuring no profits are dispersed to shareholders. Our funding sources include donations, grants, and various fundraising initiatives.
Raising Awareness for Kidney Health
The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation is proud to partner with DCI, Inc. and Trinity Dental Clinic to help raise awareness about kidney health and the impact kidney disease has on millions of people worldwide.
Kidney disease often develops silently, making awareness, prevention, and early detection critically important. Through community partnerships and education, we can help ensure more people understand the risks, recognize the warning signs, and seek care earlier.
At the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation, we are committed to supporting dialysis patients and their families across our region through nutrition assistance, emergency support, and community resources.
Together with our partners, we continue working to improve quality of life for patients and strengthen support systems throughout East Tennessee.
Together, we can make a difference in the fight against kidney disease.
East Tennessee Kidney Foundation Nominated for a 2026 Community Impact of the Year – Best of Blount Award
We are honored to be nominated for the Community Impact Award – Organization of the Year in Blount County. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to improving the lives of individuals living with kidney disease across East Tennessee. Through our programs and partnerships, the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation has provided essential support to over 120 dialysis patients in Blount County, offering transportation assistance, nutritional supplements, and vital dental assistance. This nomination is a testament to the power of compassion, collaboration, and community in helping our neighbors live healthier, more fulfilling lives in Blount County.
Our Programs
The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation, Inc.™ provides direct, local support to kidney patients in East Tennessee through three life-improving programs. These include assistance with transportation to life-saving dialysis treatments, free high-protein nutritional supplements for dialysis patients across 25 East Tennessee counties, and low-cost dental care to help patients qualify for the kidney transplant waiting list.
SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM
PROGRAM
HEALTH COLLABORATION PROGRAM
EAST TENNESSEE KIDNEY FOUNDATION VEHICLE DONATION PROGRAM
Volunteer Your Ride
We are now accepting donations of cars, boats, RVs, and motorcycles. The funds your vehicle can raise for us are worth so much to the individuals and families that we serve. Your donations will also help us provide information and education on the prevention of kidney disease.
To help us speed up your vehicle donation, please answer the questions below. You can call 865-288-7351 for assistance or additional information.
Tennesseans Living With Kidney Failure
Tennesseans On Dialysis
Tennesseans Living With a Kidney Transplant
BRINGING VITAL KIDNEY CARE TO EAST TENNESSEE
Community Impact
Each year, ETKF serves over 1,500 local East Tennesseans affected by kidney disease. Our operations rely solely on grants, donations (monetary and in-kind), fundraisers, and the unwavering support of our community.
Your contributions enable us to continue our vital work in supporting kidney disease patients across East Tennessee. At ETKF, we deeply appreciate your support, which is crucial in our mission to enhance the quality of life for all those affected by kidney disease in our community.
Moments of Hope
Fighting for a Second Chance
Every day in East Tennessee, neighbors, parents, spouses, and friends are fighting for their lives while waiting for a kidney transplant.
These are not statistics.
They are real people in our community who need a living donor to avoid dialysis and reclaim their health.
Through Moments of Hope, we share their stories — honoring their resilience, protecting their dignity, and inviting our community to be part of the solution.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you could change — or save — a life, this is where hope begins.
I want to share a pic of you on the website with your family and tell your story and give you another place to send people with the appropriate links to donate. I want a few paragraphs on where you are on your journey and how the community can HELP YOU and your families.
Teresa W Smith
In 2016, Teresa was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a hereditary disorder that causes cysts to develop within the kidneys, causing them to enlarge and eventually lose function. Teresa has strived to live a healthy lifestyle over the last nine years,...
Upcoming Events
March 14, 2026
March 14, 2026
November 19, 2025
September 17, 2026
Knox Shamrock Fest™ & the Lucky Kidney Run
Affiliations & Memberships
“Powering Our Mission Together”
How YOU Can Help: Become A Donor Today
A single decision to become a donor can change everything for someone living with kidney disease. Tennessee Donor Services’ “Types of Donation” page shows how living and deceased kidney donors give the ultimate gift — a chance at renewed health, more time with loved ones, and a brighter future. Every kidney given is more than a medical gift; it’s an act of hope, compassion, and life-saving generosity that leaves a lasting legacy.
