Funded by Research Industries, the ICA produces a new brochure and mails it to every urologist in the United States and Canada.
Medical Market Specialties administers double-blind clinical trials of the IC oral medication, Elmiron.
A hugely successful second annual Raffle for Research raises $20,000 for IC research. The ICA provides funds to support an AFUD IC Research Scholar.
This year's political action campaign featuring testimony by Vicki Ratner, MD and Paula Harbison results in the Senate Report supporting a National Registry of IC patients and urging the NIH to establish a five-year plan for IC research.
The ICA extends its support group organization to Canada.
ICA representatives Vicki Ratner, MD and Sandi Bois, ICA Program Director, appear before the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Advisory Board (NKUDAB). Debra Slade addresses the American Urological Association Allied National Meeting (the organization of urological nurses and technicians).
The first Statewide IC Awareness Week is held in Michigan. Many states follow.
The ICA sponsors its Fourth National Meeting in Chicago.
The 1988 RFA solicits research proposals to study the causes of IC and basic urological research relating to IC.
Publicity efforts continue with articles in the Los Angeles, Redbook and countless local newspapers. A letter published in the syndicated Ann Landers column from an IC patient results in 10,000 letters to the ICA.