In the early spring, ICA Spokesperson Terry-Jo Myers wins her first major tournament in nearly a decade, the Los Angeles Women's Championship. Two months later she wins the Sara Lee Championship in Memphis, Tennessee. These wins generate much media coverage for her and the ICA. Stories are featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and many other publications.
Also in the spring, through written testimony submitted to the House and Senate Subcommittees on Health, Human Services and Education, the ICA helps to ensure continued federal funding of IC research. Representatives of the ICA also met with Senator Arlen Spector, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education, and with IC research supporter, Senator Harry Reid, of Nevada.
The May edition of the journal Urology features a supplement dedicated to IC research. This special edition is edited by two members of the ICA's Medical Advisory Board, Dr. Philip Hanno and Dr. Alan Wein.
A series of IC Fact Sheets is developed covering topics such as DMSO, Cystoscopy & Hydrodistention, and Men & IC. Additional Fact Sheets are in the planning stages.
The World Wide Web site at http://www.ichelp.org/ continues to expand. ICA brochures are now on-line, including a Spanish language edition. IC Fact Sheets are also included in the site.
The ICA finalizes arrangements with several multi-media health information resources, including Healthtouch (computerized "kiosks" located in pharmacies and other health provider areas, as well as a Web Site), InteliHealth and Kaleidoscope (cable TV network devoted exclusively to health and lifestyle issues).
The ICA has a booth at the American Urological Association and SUNA (urologic nurse organization) annual meetings in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Working with Baker Norton Pharmaceuticals, the ICA assists in the production of a video featuring Terry-Jo Myers, as well as a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that will be used to increase public awareness of IC and the ICA.
With Baker Norton's support, the ICA establishes the 1-800-HELP-ICA support line that gives 24-hour voice response information on IC and the ICA.
The September 1 edition of People magazine includes a full-color, two page article on Terry-Jo.
In the early fall, Alza Pharmaceuticals purchases Elmiron from Baker Norton. The ICA is pleased to be working with Alza, and deeply appreciates their underwriting of the expenses of international speakers at the International Scientific Symposium, as well as the cost of Bladder Health Week information packages for physicians and the media.
ICA Medical Advisory Board member, Dr. Grannum R. Sant, edits the book, Interstitial Cystitis, which features numerous chapters covering all aspects of IC.
The ICA initiates a Planned Giving Program, highlighted by a new brochure entitled "Leaving a Legacy to the ICA". This program has the potential for providing new financial resources to fund the ICA's activities and ensure its continued growth into the 21st century.
Our volunteers continue to be the cornerstone of the ICA's local outreach efforts. Our Affiliate Affairs Department writes and produces a Support Group Leader Manual.
In the fall, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation donates $50,000, all of which will be used for IC research.
The Fishbein Family Foundation Interstitial Cystitis Research Foundation is established by Bob and Laurie Fishbein, whose twin daughters are IC sufferers. The Fishbeins donate $300,000 in research awards for 1998. Grants in subsequent years will be funded by the income from a $1 million endowment. The ICA will administer this program.
The Fishbein Family announces a $1 million research challenge to any researcher or research team that finds the cure for IC.
In October and early November, the ICA sponsors the NIDDK/ICA International Scientific Symposium and the Ninth National Meeting in Arlington, Virginia. One hundred speakers, 18 workshops, and over 600 IC patients attend these conferences.
ICA Executive Director, Debra Slade, leads a Capitol Hill Walk at the close of the Ninth National Meeting. Forty patients from across the country visit their elected officials to talk about IC and the need for further government-sponsored research.
In late October, in conjunction with the National Meeting, the ICA teams up with the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, for Bladder Health Week to educate the media, general public, and the medical community about IC.