Many patients who have suffered from a urologic condition, may have the need for additional support offered by other patients who have been afflicted with these problems. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, it is our intent to care for the whole patient and to facilitate this support whenever possible.

Interstitial Cystitis Support Group
This group deals with the often debilitating condition of interstitial cystitis, an inflammatory condition of the bladder. For additional information or to inquire on dates of meetings, contact Laurel Radke, LPN at lradke@kumc.edu.

US TOO Prostate Cancer Support Group
Many patients who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, find a great deal of information and comfort from others with this diagnosis. On the 3rd Thursday of every other month, this group meets at the University of Kansas Medical Center for a lecture regarding some aspect of prostate cancer provided by local experts. In addition, to the fellowship of other prostate cancer survivors, this group allows an informal forum in which to ask questions of the experts. Mr. Claude Harkins is the leader and contact person for this group and can be reached at 913-851-0008.

United Ostomy Association
This group provides support and information for those patients living with an ostomy. It meets the 3rd Wednesday of every other month at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. For more information please contact Mrs. Debbie Kueker at 913-588-3118.

Infertility
Resolve is a national support group that can assist couples with information about options for infertility treatments and also helps couples deal with the stresses that are associated with this very emotional problem. The website is http://www.resolve.org. Information is also available through the American Society of Reproductive Medicine at http://www.asrm.org/Patients/mainpati.html.

Fertility before or after cancer treatment is another difficult time. Survivorship and hope of recovery from cancer and hope for fertility in those who do not have children or who have not completed their family is important for many couples. An excellent resource for investigating issues of fertility and cancer can be found at http://www.fertilehope.org.

Dr. Craig Neiderberger, Head, Department of Urology, University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL, and Dr. Brad Van Voorhis, Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility,University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, have published an informative Knol (Unit of Knowlege) regarding Male and Female Infertility. This information can be found at http://knol.google.com/k/craig-niederberger/infertility/y3nX1p4o/Ing6nw#

Other websites with useful information about urological disease include:

    http://www.UrologyHealth.org

    http://www.UrologyChannel.com

    http://www.MedScape.com

    http://health.nih.gov

    http://www.cancer.org