One way that patients can get involved is by asking your local representatives to honor IC Awareness Month with a proclamation. We’ve made this easy for you by including a sample letter and proclamation. Simply print out the attached pdf file and mail to your city, county, state and/or federal officials! Download the PDF file of the official 2015 Proclamation Letter & Request here!
2015 Proclamation Request
Dear __________
My life and/or the life of a family member or friend has been severely disrupted by interstitial cystitis, a devastating pelvic pain condition. Characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, pressure and/or severe pain as the bladder fills, many patients struggle to find knowledgeable care providers, affordable treatments and pain care. Students with IC have been punished for asking to use the restroom at school. Employees with IC, prostatitis, prostate cancer, incontinence, Crohn’s Disease and IBS are often forced to hold it and endure severe pain out of fear that they will lose their jobs. I hope that you will consider issuing a proclamation on behalf of IC Awareness Month to help educate our community and employers about the needs of the millions of men and women struggling with this often agonizing bladder condition.
Sample IC Awareness Month Proclamation
Whereas, 3 to 8 million women in the USA and 1 to 4 million men of all ages suffer the devastating effects of this chronic pelvic pain disorder; and
Whereas, many physicians are unaware of the symptoms and effects of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, causing patients to suffer for years before they obtain a correct diagnosis and medical treatment; and
Whereas, medical research efforts into interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome have yet to discover the cause nor cure for this disabling medical condition and federal research money has been severely reduced; and
Whereas, there is a critical need to educate and support individuals and families affected by interstitial cystitis;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that September 2015 is hereby designed as Interstitial Cystitis Awareness Month during which patients, support groups and organizations call for increases in public and private sector funding for medical research, targeted educational programs for health professionals, patients and the public and recognition of urological disorders as a significant public health issue.
Proclaimed This Day, September 2015
I thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
IC Awareness Month is a project of Interstitial Cystitis Network, a social advocacy and health education company founded by IC patients for IC patients. Learn more about IC by visiting: https://www.ic-network.com IC Network, PO Box 2159, Healdsburg, CA 95448 – 800.928.7496 (v) 707.538.9444 (f) icnetwork@mac.com (e)