ICA 2003 National Meeting participant, Roenna Fulton.

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic, painful, inflammatory condition of the bladder wall that affects over one million people - women, men, and children - in the United States. Although its cause is unknown and there is no cure, there are many available treatment options to help relieve symptoms. Although IC is considerably less well-known, it is as common as Parkinson's disease or Type I diabetes.

IC is real. And we're here to help. The Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) is a vital and dynamic organization offering information and support to people with IC and their families, educating the medical community about IC, and promoting research to find effective treatments, and, ultimately a cure for IC. By "putting the pieces together," across these communities, we work to improve the care and the lives of IC sufferers.