Urology Care Foundation: Educating Patients and Funding Answers for One of the Most Misunderstood Fields of Medicine

Did you know that bladder, kidney, prostate and testicular cancer are among the most common cancers in the United States? Millions of American men, women, and children struggle with urologic cancer and disease each year.  Every 3.1 minutes, a man is told he has prostate cancer; every 6.4 minutes, someone is diagnosed with bladder cancer; and 1 out of every 250 males will develop testicular cancer.

Urologic cancers can be life altering and have an impact on the entire family emotionally and financially. Moreover, treatment for urologic disease costs the American public nearly $40 billion per year (excluding medication costs). Yet urology remains one of the most misunderstood fields of medicine.

Since 1987, the Urology Care Foundation - the official foundation of the American Urological Association (AUA) - has continued its promise to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of urologic cancer and disease through research and education. Serving as the leading advocate for patients, health care professionals, and caregivers, the Urology Care Foundation is working to advance research and provide the most accurate and current urologic information and education.

Urological conditions are extremely common with a high impact on an individual’s overall wellness. Women, in particular, will often wait up to 7-8 years before seeking treatment for issues related to incontinence (leaking urine), which can get in the way of work, social life, exercise, and sleep. In severe cases, urological conditions affect individuals’ morbidity and mortality. Despite this, patients are often uncertain about seeking treatment and understanding which treatment choice is right for them.

Patient awareness and education can help bridge the gap between provider and patient, removing barriers of isolation and fear when dealing with some of the most sensitive yet critical aspects of our personal health. Research to find solutions and a cure, along with education underpins a crucial cycle of prevention, management, and the ability to stay healthy and well. The Urology Care Foundation’s efforts are making investments along each point in this cycle:

Awareness: The Foundation provides the public with free access to easily understood and up-to-date information about urological conditions and treatments in the ever-changing healthcare landscape, increasing comfort and fluency.

Staying healthy and well: The Foundation provides resources and tools that help patients and their loved ones manage symptoms, usher on recovery, and increase quality of life for those living with urological conditions, including cancers.

Detection: The Foundation works to raise awareness and empower patients with critical information to help them identify early signs of urological conditions and easily connect with health care providers, increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Treatment: Through its research programs, the Foundation is working to find solutions and cures. Its patient educational resources help to open conversations between patients, provider, and caregivers about treatment options that result in better-informed clinical decisions tailored to individualized needs and lifestyles.

The Urology Care Foundation is dedicated to advancing urology research and education, and its unique relationship with the AUA, an organization of approximately 23,000 urologists, has positioned the Foundation as a leading advocate in urologic health, uniquely qualified to speak on behalf of urology. Since 1975, the Foundation’s Research Awards Program has provided more than 750 outstanding young scientists with over $30 million in research funding dedicated to preventing, diagnosing and treating urologic conditions. Research made possible by the Foundation has led to improvements in patient care, advances in patient care in prostate cancer, dietary interventions that improve prostate cancer outcomes, more effective treatment of kidney stones, preservation of fertility in male cancer patients and much more.

Support Urology Care Foundation through your employee giving program:

As a donor, you can support Urology Care Foundation by donating to them through your employer’s workplace giving program (CFC#80207 if you're a military or federal employee participating in the Combined Federal Campaign). Payroll pledges made through employer-sponsored charitable giving programs represent a cost effective and near effortless way to support your favorite charities. For every dollar you donate, the Urology Care Foundation promises to make a measurable impact today and in the future in the wellness and urologic health of millions through research and education. 83% of every dollar raised goes directly to support research and education. 

For more information visit: www.UrologyHealth.org

Bring Workplace Giving to Your Company!

As the Urology Care Foundation's workplace giving partner, America’s Charities can help your company design and implement a program centered on supporting their work - through workplace giving campaigns, employee fundraising, cause-focused signature programs, volunteerism, donation drives, matching gifts, Dollars-for-Doers, In-Kind Giving and other employee engagement and philanthropic initiatives. Click here to request a demo and learn how we can help you do this.