The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation, Inc.™ focuses on directly improving the lives of patients suffering from kidney disease. We offer three ongoing programs throughout the year. Below is a summary of programs available. For further information or questions on how we can help you or your loved ones, please call our office at 865-288-7351.
SAVING & IMPROVING THE LIVES
OF INDIVIDUAL EAST TENNESSEANS
Dianne Hagey Dialysis Transportation Program
The Dialysis Transportation Program provides financial assistance to help patients reach their life-saving dialysis treatments. The program works by reimbursing the patient for the expenses incurred while traveling to and from dialysis treatments. Patients can apply directly through their dialysis clinic social worker.
Nutritional Supplement Program
We provide free protein bars and nutritional supplements to dialysis patients in 48 clinics across 25 counties in East Tennessee—helping them maintain strength and health during treatment. This allows for patients to have a healthy source of energy that does not contain a lot of sugar while they are undergoing treatment. It also helps support overall nutrition for dialysis patients who may have a harder time getting certain vitamins and mineral in their diet.
Dental Assistance Program
The Dental Assistance Program provides low-cost dental work for dialysis patients whose last barrier to placement on the kidney transplant waiting list is dental work. A clean bill of health, including dental health, is required in order to be placed on the kidney transplant waiting list. Patients are referred by the University of Tennessee Center for Transplant Services.
Blount County Dental Health Collaboration Program
We are so excited to announce a brand new program courtesy of a Breaking Down Barriers Grant from Blount County United Way.
This new program helps support participants in the Dianne Hagey Dialysis Transportation Program by making them automatically eligible for FREE dental care through Trinity Dental Clinic. Both transportation and dental care costs will be fully covered by the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation, thanks to a grant we received from the United Way of Blount County’s Breaking Down Barriers initiative.