MEDIA ADVISORY

Join theSt. Jude Walk East Tennessee on Sept. 12, 2026 in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Hybrid events for individuals and teams across the country benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Blountville, TN(April 7, 2026) – Registration is open for theSt. Jude Walk East Tennessee presented by the East Tennessee Walking Horse Association during Childhood Cancer Awareness Monthat 9 a.m. on Saturday September 12, 2026 at Northeast State Community College’s Main Campus in Blountville TN.

The St. Jude Walkprovides supporters ofSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®a chance to unite supporters across the country to provide hope and healing for families during their toughest times. Regardless of your pace or path, whether you choose to walk, skip, hop or step, when you join the St. Jude Walk, you’re taking steps to help cure childhood cancer.Thanks to generous supporters,families never receive a bill from St. Judefor treatment, travel, housing or food. This year’s St. Jude Walk series is nationally presented by Window World, Kia andBosch.

The East Tennessee Walking Horse Association, presenting sponsor of the St. Jude Walk, was established in 1983 by a group of individuals united in their passion for promoting the Tennessee Walking Horse. For some members, the walking horse represents a profession; for others, it is a lifelong passion. As an organization, our mission is to preserve and secure the future of the Tennessee Walking Horse, ensuring it remains both a thriving association and a valued way of life.

Over the past 43 years, the association has grown to include more than 250 members. Throughout the show season, members compete for high-point honors, with top achievers recognized at the annual awards banquet held each January.

Charitable giving has long been a cornerstone of the association’s mission. Over the years, the organization has proudly supported a variety of causes, including the American Heart Association, therapeutic riding centers, and cancer foundations. Today, that tradition continues through our commitment to supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In 2011, the decision was made to partner with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as our charity of choice. With childhood cancer impacting so many close to home, we felt there was no better way to give back and support such an important cause.

One story that truly embodies this mission is that of board member and horse trainer of 31 years, Keith Ailshie. At just 14 years old, Keith was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was given only one week to live. Through the generosity of his community, Dewey Foust played a critical role in raising the funds needed to get Keith and his family to Memphis for treatment.

Keith remained in Memphis for 60 days under the care of Dr. Furman before being transferred to Johnson City to continue his care with Dr. Kowinaki. At one point, he was told he would never have children. Today, Keith is married and has two children—a son and a daughter—defying those expectations.

To this day, he continues to travel to Memphis each year for follow-up tests and to participate in studies focused on the long-term effects of chemotherapy. His journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, hope, and the life-changing impact of St. Jude.

When asked about the personal significance behind this commitment, St. Jude Walk East Tennessee Committee member and ETWHA Web Designer and Newsletter Editor, Tami Triplett, shared:

"We continue to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital because of its unwavering mission to lead in the research and treatment of childhood cancer, while providing hope to families facing these challenges. Helping children over the past 15 years has been one of our proudest accomplishments. To date, we have donated $159,092.00, including our largest single contribution of $25,000 last year. This year, we have set another ambitious fundraising goal and look forward to continuing our efforts to support this incredible cause and the children of St. Jude."

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Fundraising events like the St. Jude Walk/Run unite individuals across the country to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.^®Everywhere.

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ETWHA Mission Statement

The members of the East Tennessee Walking Horse Association are a diverse group of people with a common goal. To some of our members the walking horse represents their chosen profession. To others the horse represents their greatest pleasure. The goal of all of us is to secure the future of the walking horse. This is our highest priority.
Since any organization is made up of individuals with varying opinions and viewpoints, the situation demands of us that we work in the spirit of commitment, cooperation and most importantly unity. Therefore, we agree that to the best of our ability we will do, not what is best for us as individuals, but what is best for the walking horse.

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"A good rider can hear his horse speak to him. A great rider can hear his horse whisper."

~Author Unknown

Our charity of choice.