Will you help me support the Interstitial Cystitis Association?
With over 25 years of living with the condition, interstitial cystitis (IC) or bladder pain syndrome (BPS), I know full well the challenges of living with chronic pain. My symptoms started when I was a teenager, and it took about three and a half years to receive an accurate diagnosis. While IC/BPS symptoms vary from person to person, my primary symptom is pain. Over time, I have found various ways to manage this pain; however, there truly is no aspect of my life that hasn’t been touched by living with this condition. It has challenged me in so many ways, both personally and professionally, but I will also say that it has made me a stronger, more resilient person.
I am many things in addition to being a person living with IC/BPS, but one “hat” that I wear very proudly is that of an ultrarunner. I have been running ultras for the past four years (official races: two 50Ks, two 40-milers, one 50-miler, and one 100-miler; I’ve also unofficially done several ultra-style events—e.g., a 155-miler over four and a half days). Running is one of the most significant ways that I manage my chronic pain, and it’s become an essential part of who I am.
In addition to pain management, my running has also helped me give back to many communities that I care about through fundraising. For my next ultra-race (a 100-miler on October 9-10, 2021), I am happy to be raising funds for an organization that has made a significant difference in my life, the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA). The ICA was instrumental in me receiving the correct diagnosis. As a repository of evidence-based information, the ICA has also been incredibly important in many of the treatment choices I have made over the years. Beyond that, it has provided me with a connection to others who understand what it is like to live with this condition, the value of which is hard to put into words.
Will you help me support the only national, nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to supporting people with IC/BPS? Any amount, no matter how small, can make a difference. And, if you’re not able to donate, please consider sharing this with others!
