Our Mission

Hello, my name is Robert, and my wife's name is Ilka.

We started this journey together about six to seven years ago when Ilka was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC). Like so many others living with this condition, she faced chronic pain, unpredictable flares, countless doctor appointments, food restrictions, and the emotional challenges that often come with an invisible illness.

As her husband, I wanted to do everything I could to help. I found myself keeping track of symptoms, looking for patterns, researching treatments, searching for reliable information, and trying to make each doctor's appointment a little more productive. Along the way, we realized something important—there wasn't one place that brought everything together in a way that was simple, organized, and truly helpful for patients.

That's where the idea for IC Buddy was born.

What started as a way to support my wife became a much bigger vision: creating a digital companion for anyone living with interstitial cystitis. We wanted to build more than just another symptom tracker. We wanted a place where people could better understand their condition, recognize patterns, prepare for medical appointments, find trustworthy educational resources, discover IC-friendly recipes, and feel supported throughout their journey.

Our hope is that IC Buddy helps people feel less alone. Living with IC can be overwhelming, but having the right tools and reliable information can make a real difference. Every feature we create is designed with one goal in mind: helping people take a little more control over a condition that often feels uncontrollable.