Laughing for Life Knoxville

Years ago, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) had a presence in East Tennessee. After some persuading, the NKF merged with the local kidney foundation in an attempt to better serve the East Tennessee area. However, in January 2009, dialysis patients were left without transportation when the news broke that the National Kidney Foundation had shut down the Knoxville office. It was at this juncture that former NKF board members established the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation, a non-profit charitable 501(c)3 organization. One of the missions of the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation (ETKF) is to provide patient services and support to East Tennesseans affected by kidney disease. Our primary goal is patient services, specifically helping patients get to and from dialysis, which is necessary for their survival. We also work with Tennessee Donor Services to promote the donation of all organs for transplantation. The ETKF currently serves 14 counties and approximately 200 low-income patients, all local East Tennesseans. We operate solely on donations, monetary and in-kind, and the care and support of our amazing community. Without you, our organization would not be possible. We at ETKF, in addition to all our dialysis patients, appreciate you and your support!