Access to the Internet and creation of a homepage (www.ica-austria.at) where all our members can find information about meetings, etc.

New ICA-Posters have been printedto be used on information-booths and in outpatient clinics at hospitals.

Meetings of Self-help Groups have been arranged and took place 33 times in Linz, Wien,Salzburg, Graz Innsbruck, and St.Pölten. These meetings were held alternately as informational meetings and as discussions with urologists, gynecologists, and various therapists.

Austrian Conference of IC Patients: This whole-day event in Linz/D. served to educate patients and to let patients discuss concerns with the speakers: Patients ask – experts answer.

Speakers: Dr. Doris John, Gynecologist; OA Dr. Gustav Kiss, Neuro-Urologist; Univ.Prof. Dr. Gero Hohlbrugger,Urologist; Yolande Alesch, Neuromodulation; Arthur Nausner, Rang Dröl-Therapeut.

General Assembly according to the society by-laws to appoint a new board of directors, accept the treasurer’s report and to vote on society matters.

Elke Hufnagl was confirmed as president, Christa Rammerstorfer as director and treasurer; newly appointed was Dr. Harald Fischer to handle publicity matters. Ms. Waltraud Eder withdrew from this position.

MICA was established, and we informed all members of the medical advisory board as well as all urologists, gynecologists, official institions, hospitals, and medical companies that are in concerned with IC. We also reported about various matters concerning ICA Austria.

Counseling of patients: We answer inquiries by phone, mail, or e-mail and regularly mail information about IC.

Visits and calls with the public health service and social and similar private institutions, medical insurers, representatives of the regional government, and various companies—all with the intent to get IC better known and to create understanding for patients’ situations to better their social condition as well to find some financial support for our society.

Participation in exhibitions: Our information booth exhibited 23 days during these events:

• Health Fair, Innsbruck
• Market Fair, Gunskirchen (We are based in this market town, so we participated as a local organization.)
• URO 2003 (Austrian—Bavarian Congress of Urologists), Vienna
• La Donna—an exhibition for women’s health and beauty
• Day of the Bladder, Korneuburg
• GIH—Yearly convention, where we gave a speech
• Health Fair for Senior Citizens, Vienna

• DGU (German Association of Urologists), Hamburg, where we contributed materials to their information booth.
• 10-year Jubilee of ICA Germany in Köln
• 20-year Jubilee of ICA USA,to get to know our American friends.
• International IC Symposium in Alexandria, VA, USA.

Membership fees often are not being paid on time, so we thank our members who pay their dues on time and donate. We look for donnors continously.

For having supported us in 2003 we thank:

• Sanova Pharma, Wien
• SCA Hygiene Products GmbH, Wien
• Caesaro Med, Gesundheitsprodukte, Leonding
• Wabosan Arzneimittelvertriebs GmbH, Wien
• Medtronic Österreich GmbH, Wien
• Landessanitätsdirektion OÖ, Frau Gesundheitslandesrätin Dr. Silvia Stöger
• Marktgemeindeamt Gunskirchen
• Medizinische Gesellschaft für Inkontinenzhilfe Österreich

Our special gratitude goes to the urologists we could count upon their advice and help:

• Univ.Prof. Dr. Gero Hohlbrugger
• Prim. Uni.Doz. Dr. Claus Riedl
• Hofrat Univ.Prof. Dr. Helmut Madersbacher
• OA Dr. Gustav Kiss
• Prim. Univ.Doz. Dr. Helmut Heidler
• OA Dr. Rudolf Demel
• Dr. Lukas Daha
• Frau Dr. Dana Lazar

And a special thanks
To all the therapists for kinesiology, physiotherapy, nutrition, Rang Dröl, who participated in our self help groups free of charge. To the contact persons of the self-help groups, members of their head organization. To the local health service and various hospitals who let us use meeting rooms without charge.

Bank account for membership fees and donations: 34013530000 Volksbank Wels, BLZ 44800. All donations are tax deductable.

Contact to ICA—Österreich:
ICA–Österreich e.V.
Elke Hufnagl
Irisweg 4
A – 4623 Gunskirchen
Tel./ Fax: 0043- (0)7246- 8448
E-mail: elke.hufnagl@ica-austria.at