California Senator Barbara Boxer greets ICA Consultant Libby Mullin and ICA Founder and President Emeritus Vicki Ratner, MD at the 2006 ICA Capitol Hill Walk.

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.