The ICA is formed in New York City by Vicki Ratner, MD. Virtually unknown, interstitial cystitis was thought to be a rare disease affecting only middle-aged and elderly women, and psychosomatic in origin.

The ICA undertakes a large-scale publicity campaign to raise awareness of the disease among the medical community and the IC patient population. Appearances on Good Morning America and a segment run by Cable News Network (CNN) result in over 12,000 inquiries to the ICA.