The Portland Kidney Group held its first meeting in October 2009. Yasuyo Tsunemine, a dialysis social worker in Portland, Oregon, spearheaded the formation of the group because of her desire to help patients find support from one another. With this vision in mind, she recruited two social work interns and a few interested dialysis patients and held an initial meeting at her clinic. More than fifteen enthusiastic people came to that first meeting. They enjoyed it so much they decided to meet regularly, and the Portland Kidney Group was born.
The group has expanded to include a peer mentoring program, a weight loss support group, and a Westside group under the professional guidance of Valerie Ring and Patricia Lee.
