East Tennessee Kidney Foundation Lucky Kidney Run and Irish Festival Planned

Local dialysis patients will benefit from the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation’s Lucky Kidney Run and Irish Festival presented by Fresenius Medical Care on Saturday, March 19, 2016 in downtown Knoxville.

The 5th annual 6K run and 6K/2K walk start from Market Square at 10 a.m., progressing from downtown to the Fourth and Gill neighborhood and back. Registration is now open at www.etkidney.org and costs $35 through March 9 and $40 thereafter.

New for 2016 is the Irish Festival, which is 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Market Square. The event will feature live music, dancing and vendor booths, and kids will enjoy large inflatables and midway games. Clancy’s Tavern and Whiskey House will be selling green beer and Guinness. Festival admission is free; tickets for children’s entertainment are available online during race registration or at the event. All on-site sales of food and game tickets will be cash only.

The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation (ETKF) helps local kidney patients in 15 East Tennessee counties with costs for transportation to and from dialysis treatments and provides nutritional supplements and also blankets to make dialysis treatments more comfortable for patients. It also provides patient and caregiver education; facilitates prevention, detection and awareness of kidney disease; and promotes organ donation.

“Whether you plan to run or walk or simply enjoy the festival, the Lucky Kidney Run and Irish Festival promises fun for the entire family,” said ETKF Executive Director Katie Martin. “Anyone whose life has been touched by kidney disease or just interested in enjoying the outdoors for a great cause is welcome to participate.”

On-site registration is $40 and begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration is free for children 5 and younger.

Run and walk participants aged 6 and older will receive a race T-shirt and other items from race sponsors. Run participants will be eligible for individual and team awards.

Individuals or community service groups interested in volunteering may contact Martin at 865-288-7351 or katie@etkidney.org.

The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation Lucky Kidney Run and Irish Festival presented by Fresenius Medical Care is sponsored by WATE-TV Channel 6, Q100.3, University Nephrology, All Occasions Party Rentals, Clancy’s Tavern and Whiskey House and UT Medical Center.