Two Decades of Dedication: The Bria Fund’s Enduring Legacy in Feline Infectious Peritonitis Research

November 18, 2025, marks a poignant milestone: the 20th anniversary of the Bria Fund, a philanthropic initiative born from profound personal loss and dedicated to eradicating Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Founded by Susan Gingrich, whose beloved Birman cat, Brianna Jamie (Bria), succumbed to the devastating disease, the fund has been a pivotal force in transforming FIP from an invariably fatal diagnosis into a treatable condition, catalyzing global research efforts and fostering a vibrant community of advocates. This significant anniversary not only commemorates two decades of tireless fundraising and awareness but also reflects on the remarkable scientific strides made possible by sustained dedication.

The Genesis of a Movement: A Promise to Bria

The journey of the Bria Fund began in the shadow of heartbreak. On April 19, 2005, Susan Gingrich and her husband, Jim Shurskis, faced the agonizing reality of their nine-month-old Birman, Bria, suffering from wet FIP. At the time, FIP was a mysterious and relentlessly fatal disease, with veterinarians having limited tools and pet owners feeling isolated in their grief. "Dealing with what my vet knew was wet FIP was traumatic and frightening, as well as depressing. We didn’t know anyone who ever had a cat with FIP," Gingrich recounted, encapsulating the pervasive sense of helplessness that characterized FIP diagnoses for decades. Despite their efforts and Bria’s tenacious spirit, she succumbed to the illness four months later. It was at her burial that Gingrich made a solemn vow: "I promised that her short, little life would not be forgotten." This promise became the powerful impetus for the creation of the Bria Fund for FIP Research.

Establishing a Vehicle for Hope: Partnership with Winn Feline Foundation

Driven by her personal tragedy and an unwavering commitment, Gingrich wasted no time. In July 2005, she submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Winn Feline Foundation (now EveryCat Health Foundation), a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to advancing feline health. Her proactive approach quickly garnered attention. Shortly after, she was invited to an executive meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, to discuss her innovative ideas for a dedicated FIP research fund. The foundation recognized the critical need and the passion behind Gingrich’s proposal. On November 7, 2005, Winn Feline Foundation formally agreed to establish the Bria Fund as a stipulated donation vehicle, ensuring that all contributions would be exclusively directed towards FIP research. This critical endorsement provided the fledgling initiative with credibility, infrastructure, and a clear pathway to impact. Just eleven days later, on November 18, 2005, the Bria Fund was officially announced at an international cat show in Foster City, CA, marking its public launch and the beginning of a two-decade-long crusade.

Building a Global Community: The FIP Fighters Unite

While awaiting Winn’s official reply, Gingrich discovered a global network of individuals similarly affected by FIP. This realization shattered the isolation she initially felt and revealed a shared sense of grief and a desperate hunger for solutions. She found an established online community, "FIP Cat Support" on Yahoo, which served as a vital hub for information and emotional solace. Collaborating with the group’s moderator and other dedicated members, Gingrich co-founded the "FIP Fighters’ Group" on Facebook, creating a more accessible and dynamic platform for support and advocacy. These "FIP sisters," as Gingrich affectionately called them, formed the bedrock of the fund’s early grassroots support.

The establishment of the Bria Fund through Winn also opened doors to the scientific community. Gingrich gained access to leading veterinarians and researchers, accelerating her understanding of FIP’s complexities. Among these invaluable connections was Dr. Niels Pedersen, often referred to as the "Father of FIP Research." Dr. Pedersen, a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, had dedicated decades to unraveling the mysteries of feline coronaviruses and FIP. His pioneering work laid much of the groundwork for subsequent breakthroughs. Gingrich credits Dr. Pedersen as one of the kindest people she knew, teaching and helping her immensely, sharing his profound knowledge and guiding her through the intricate world of veterinary science. His mentorship was crucial in shaping the fund’s strategic direction and ensuring its research investments were scientifically sound.

Early Challenges and Growing Momentum

In its nascent stages, raising money for FIP research was an arduous task. The prevailing sentiment was one of despair; FIP was widely considered untreatable, a death sentence. Donors often hesitated to contribute to research for a disease with a 100% mortality rate. However, Gingrich’s conviction remained unshaken. "Just as I believe that God gave Bria to me for a purpose, I also believe that he blessed the Bria Fund," she stated, reflecting her profound faith and determination. Through the dedicated efforts of the "FIP sisters" and the burgeoning power of social media, awareness of the Bria Fund steadily grew.

A significant turning point came with Gingrich’s first Winn FIP Symposium, held at the annual Cat Fancier’s Association Conference in Virginia. This event provided a crucial platform for connecting with her online "FIP sisters" in person, solidifying their bond and collective resolve. It was also where she met Dr. Vicki Thayer, a prominent figure in feline health who would become one of the Bria Fund’s staunchest supporters. The symposium served not only as an educational forum but also as a strategic planning session for Gingrich and her allies to brainstorm new ways to bolster the fund’s coffers. As word spread and the community strengthened, donations began to increase. Within a mere couple of years, the Bria Fund proudly announced its first funded research project, a tangible demonstration of its growing impact and a beacon of hope for a future free from FIP.

A Labor of Love: Dedication Beyond Measure

The commitment of Susan Gingrich to the Bria Fund was extraordinary. Her work extended far beyond her regular employment. She would typically work all day, return home, and dedicate her evenings until midnight to the Bria Fund – a true "labor of love." Her husband, Jim, was an equally committed partner, with their weekends, vacations, and personal time frequently spent at cat shows and other events. Their presence was invaluable for educating the public about FIP, dispelling myths, and diligently raising money for the Bria Fund. Remarkably, Gingrich personally bore the brunt of expenses for travel, hotel accommodations, items for donations, and other operational costs, ensuring that "100% of donations went to the Bria Fund." This unparalleled personal sacrifice underscored her profound dedication to Bria’s memory and the cause. It wasn’t until after she and Jim retired in 2015 that Dr. Thayer, then Winn’s Executive Director, authorized Winn to reimburse Gingrich for some of her accumulated expenses, acknowledging the immense personal investment she had made.

A National Day of Recognition: Elevating Awareness

Beyond funding research, Gingrich harbored a broader vision: to elevate FIP awareness to a national level. Her original proposal to Winn included the creation of an "FIP Awareness Week" centered around April 19th, the anniversary of Bria’s passing. While an entire week proved challenging to implement initially, her advocacy efforts bore fruit in a powerful and lasting way. On the 10th Anniversary of the Bria Fund, Congressman Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee, recognizing the significance of the fund’s work and the devastating impact of FIP, entered a statement into the Congressional Record. This official declaration designated November 18th as "National Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Awareness, Research and Education Day." Although officially intended for the United States, the global "FIP sisters" and supporters beyond the country’s borders embraced it as their own. This day became a poignant annual observance, not only celebrating the progress in FIP research but also serving as a somber recognition of all the precious cats lost to this "evil disease" and the grieving people who loved them.

The Scientific Breakthroughs and Ongoing Fight

The landscape of FIP research has undergone a seismic shift since the Bria Fund’s inception. For decades, FIP was considered uniformly fatal, with no effective treatment. The disease is caused by a virulent mutation of the feline enteric coronavirus (FCoV). While FCoV is common and usually causes mild or asymptomatic gastrointestinal issues, in a small percentage of infected cats, the virus mutates into FIP, leading to an aggressive, immune-mediated systemic disease. Historically, diagnosis was challenging, often relying on a combination of clinical signs, fluid analysis, and histopathology post-mortem.

The Bria Fund, by consistently supporting foundational research, played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for later breakthroughs. In the last five to seven years, the "tremendous progress" Susan Gingrich refers to has materialized in the form of highly effective antiviral drugs. Compounds like GS-441524 and its pro-drug remdesivir, initially developed for human viral diseases, have shown remarkable efficacy against FIP. Clinical trials, many supported by earlier research that the Bria Fund helped facilitate, demonstrated success rates exceeding 80-90% in treating both wet and dry forms of FIP. This paradigm shift means that FIP is no longer a death sentence but a treatable condition, offering hope to thousands of cat owners worldwide.

EveryCat Health Foundation, the successor to Winn Feline Foundation, now actively carries forward the mission of sharing Bria Fund and FIP research progress. This collaboration ensures that the latest findings are disseminated to veterinarians, researchers, and the public. Gingrich, once concerned about a lack of research interest, now marvels at the sheer volume of credible researchers dedicated to FIP. "At one point in my life I thought that not enough researchers would be interested in it, but I was so happy to be proven wrong. Now, there isn’t enough money for all the credible researchers interested in FIP," she notes, highlighting the urgent need for continued financial support.

While significant strides have been made, the "total puzzle still isn’t solved." Researchers continue to work on improving diagnostics, understanding the mechanisms of FCoV mutation, and crucially, developing effective preventative measures. The ultimate goal remains the elimination of FIP, ensuring no cat succumbs to this once-dreaded disease. This ongoing work underscores the continued importance of the Bria Fund and sustained philanthropic investment.

A Legacy of Hope: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Reflecting on the past two decades, Susan Gingrich sees a tapestry woven with countless faces – fellow FIP fighters, dedicated researchers, supportive veterinarians, and generous donors. Some remain close, others have faded from contact, and many, including their cherished FIP and other "fur kids," have passed on. Her desktop holds a digital archive of these memories: photos of kitties lost to FIP, those currently living with it, and, most joyfully, FIP survivors. At 77, Gingrich remains sharp and healthy, her mind a repository of these powerful experiences.

Her promise to Bria has been unequivocally kept. She envisions Bria in Heaven, a vibrant spirit greeting newcomers with a playful, "Hi I’m Bria, you know, that Bria." In the Gingrich-Shurskis household, Bria’s spirited legacy continues. Her current Birman companion, Cassandraa Brie (Cassie), now 20 years old, embodies a similar feisty and bossy personality. Despite battling Third Stage Renal Failure, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), mild Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and some cognitive issues, Cassie remains a testament to feline resilience. Gingrich prays for more time with Cassie, knowing that when the time comes, Cassie, like Bria, will leave on her own terms.

The Bria Fund stands as a powerful testament to how one individual’s grief can be transformed into a global movement of hope and scientific progress. From a single promise made by a graveside, it has evolved into a cornerstone of FIP research, demonstrating the profound impact of dedicated advocacy and sustained funding. The journey from despair to discovery is far from over, but thanks to the unwavering spirit of Susan Gingrich and the Bria Fund, the future for cats threatened by FIP is brighter than ever before. Continued donations remain critical to funding the research that will one day achieve the ultimate goal: the complete elimination of FIP.

About the Founder: Susan E. Gingrich MHS.

Susan E. Gingrich MHS., a Commonwealth of PA retiree, humorously refers to herself as a "recovering bureaucrat and proud, former public servant." She is a freelance writer and a Christian activist, channeling her passion into meaningful causes. Currently residing in Loudon, TN, with her senior Birman cat, Cassie, she is planning a move back to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family and friends, continuing her advocacy work and cherishing the legacy she has built.