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PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS DRIVE AWARENESS ON & OFF THE LINKS FOR BLADDER HEALTH

Bruce Devlin, Terry-Jo Myers and Dottie Pepper Team Up with A.F.U.D. and the LPGA to Launch “On Course for Bladder Health”

Anaheim, Calif. – June 5, 2001 – Three professional golfers joined forces today to help raise visibility of difficult to discuss and tough to diagnose bladder health problems that are debilitating to millions of Americans. Working with the American Foundation for Urologic Disease (A.F.U.D.) and its Bladder Health Council, these recognized athletes are launching “On Course for Bladder Health” at the American Urological Association’s (AUA) annual meeting.

In an effort to create awareness of overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis (IC), Bruce Devlin, Terry-Jo Myers and Dottie Pepper have joined forces to help promote awareness of these two very prevalent, yet misunderstood bladder conditions. This initiative is also supported by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

“I thought my symptoms of urgency and frequency were just a normal part of aging and I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of seeking medical advice,” said Devlin, Senior PGA Tour player and television sports analyst. “I was too embarrassed to discuss my symptoms with friends and family, even though my quality of life continued to deteriorate. Others who suffer from overactive bladder need to find the personal strength to talk to their physician and know that good treatments are available.”

Overactive bladder affects more than 17 million Americans. Common symptoms of overactive bladder are urge incontinence (or wetting accidents), urinary urgency and frequency. Individuals who suffer from this condition often urinate more than eight times in a 24-hour period. Symptoms of overactive bladder can cause difficulties with concentration, exercise and sleep, often causing a sufferer to limit his or her daily activities.

Terry-Jo Myers, LPGA Tour player and IC sufferer, works endlessly to raise awareness for IC and has testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee in an effort to raise funds for IC research. “I slowly watched my dreams of becoming a top contender on the LPGA Tour slip away,” said Myers. “I began dropping out of golf tournaments because the pain and the constant need to go to the bathroom was unbearable. My hope is that with ‘On Course for Bladder Health,’ we can raise awareness of IC so that others know that there are effective treatments available and won’t have to suffer like I did.”

Nearly half a million people in the United States are affected by interstitial cystitis, 90 percent of whom are women. IC shares similar symptoms with other bladder conditions, such as urinary tract infections (UTI), and is commonly misdiagnosed. Classic IC symptoms include urinary urgency and frequency, as well as bladder pain and discomfort. Additionally, these symptoms may create substantial psychological and social problems, and loss of sleep associated with IC can lead to depression. Tiny lacerations, and sometimes ulcers that line the bladder wall, are characteristic of IC. On average, many individuals experience the first symptoms around the age of 40, but 25 percent of sufferers are 30 years of age or younger.

Dottie Pepper, one of the LPGA’s most recognized players, is dedicated to raising awareness about women’s health issues and, although not a sufferer, seeks to help improve the quality and availability of educational information on bladder health problems.

“Bruce and Terry-Jo have amazed me with their valiant efforts to help those suffering from bladder problems,” said Pepper. “They have motivated me to join the ‘On Course for Bladder Health’ campaign with hopes that together, we can help people talk about these conditions and encourage those who suffer to seek treatment from a physician.”

The “On Course for Bladder Health” program provides educational materials to patients and physicians nationwide. The campaign has also established a toll-free, confidential hotline, 1-877-ON-COURSE, and Web site, www.bladderhealth.net, where people can obtain information, as well as available treatment options for overactive bladder and IC.

“Overactive bladder and IC are two debilitating bladder conditions that affect the quality of life for those who suffer,” said Thomas Bruckman, executive director of the A.F.U.D. “We launched ‘On Course for Bladder Health’ to generate public awareness of overactive bladder and IC, in hopes that those who suffer from either of these conditions will speak to a physician to learn about available and effective treatment options. We are grateful to Bruce Devlin and Terry-Jo Myers, who have the courage to discuss their medical conditions and inspire hope to others who feel they are alone.”

The American Foundation for Urologic Disease (A.F.U.D.) is an international, non-profit, patient-based organization founded in 1987. A.F.U.D.’s mission is to prevent and cure urologic diseases through the expansion of research, education, public awareness and advocacy. National and international programs sponsored by the A.F.U.D. are enabling patients to work together with their physicians and health care providers to make informed treatment decisions.

The “On Course for Bladder Health” campaign is supported by the Ladies Professional Golf Association and is being undertaken in conjunction with the American Foundation for Urologic Disease and the Foundation’s Bladder Health Council. An educational grant to fund this program has been provided by ALZA Corporation.