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My journey with interstitial cystitis (IC) has been very long and at times lonely. Although I was diagnosed as an adult, I remember the life altering and painful symptoms long before I had any answers. Since the beginning of my IC journey, the ICA has been a constant source of hope and provided a community of support to help me learn to live with IC. By reading the ICA Update, joining the online support community, and using the online physician loca­tor and the many other online resources available, the ICA has consistently supported me.

The ICA advocates for IC research dedicated to the discovery of better treatments and ultimately a cure for IC, raises awareness, and serves as a central hub for healthcare providers, researchers and millions of patients.

With your generous help, the ICA can reach even more patients and healthcare providers nationwide, increase the visibility of IC to ensure resource sharing and education for providers, build stronger support communities for pa­tients, and continue advocacy for improved treatment options and clinical research.

The ICA simply cannot do this important work without your charitable support.

By donating to the “I See IC” campaign, you make it possible for the ICA to advocate for patients, provide critical research funding, and help educate healthcare professionals to ensure quality care to those living with IC.

Your gift to the “I See IC” campaign supports many worthwhile programs. Here are a few of the highlights:

Advocacy: By rallying a grassroots network, the ICA raises awareness among legislators and government leaders about the need for increased levels of dedicated federal funding for IC research. The ICA advocacy efforts also help empower patients around the country, teaching them to become self-advocates for their healthcare needs.

Research: Each IC diagnosis means a new fight for someone’s spouse, parent, child, or friend. The ICA funds pre­liminary research, encouraging researchers to gather the data required to obtain larger government grants for further exploration to discover better treatments and ultimately a cure for IC.

Education: The ICA’s educational programs bring critical health information and support to IC patients, care­givers, and their loved ones. With the increased prevalence of IC, the need for educational programming is expanding. The ICA reach extends to healthcare providers—we work to improve professional educational efforts with the aim of ensuring optimal care with dignity for all people with IC.

These are just a few of the programs where your donation is working. There is so much more!

Thank you for helping the ICA continue to be the organization that countless patients and providers rely on and trust.

Better research, stronger advocacy, informed physicians AND a strong community of support—YOU make this hap­pen with your charitable donation to the “I See IC” campaign.

Sincerely,
Barb Zarnikow