Providing patient services and education; facilitating prevention, detection and awareness; promoting organ donation. Founded in 2010, East TN Kidney Foundation (ETKF) is dedicated to connecting individual East Tennesseans with early detection of kidney disease, education, and access to life sustaining care. We are 100% LOCAL & INDEPENDENT & not affiliated with the NKF. The EAST TENNESSEE KIDNEY FOUNDATION is dedicated to connecting individual East Tennesseans with early detection of kidney disease, education, and access to life sustaining care. The EAST TENNESSEE KIDNEY FOUNDATION serves residents of 23 counties in East Tennessee.