Friday PiDay — Georgia Brothers For Life Take on Crohn’s & Colitis

“When we first met as Alpha Epsilon Pi pledge brothers at the University of Georgia 45 years ago, we knew we would have a bond for life,” said Mark Schwartz (Georgia, 1983). “And in fact, we have. Little did we know at that time, that our bond would not only be one of our fraternity, trips, and families, but also our shared battles with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.” Mark is referring to his longtime friends and pledge brothers, Neal Maziar (Georgia, 1983) and David Rones (Georgia, 1983).

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract.

Mark’s daughter was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. “I was hopeful that Crohn’s disease would end with me,” said Mark after his diagnosis 21 years ago.

Mark added, “I’ve always had stomach issues growing up, but you attribute that to IBS or anxiety. Then in my late 30s, it got to the point where it was so significant in terms of pain and joint issues, and autoimmune issues, that my doctor recommended that I should see a GI. I was told that Jewish individuals have four times the propensity to have an auto-immune disease.”

Mark continued, “I have been aided by oral medication ever since. There was a time that I would take 16 pills a day (4 pills, 4 times a day). It has since been reduced to four pills a day. Between myself and my girls, working towards a cure has gotten much more personal.”

In March 2022, Mark retired after a successful 38-year career in technology sales. He is now actively involved with various charities; in particular, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (in Atlanta). This is his second year to lead as event chair for the Foundation’s Torch Gala.

Mark remembers talking to David and Neal about their symptoms.

David Rones has Ulcerative Colitis. A sales and marketing executive for Americo, David was also diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2015 at the age of 54, and has had multiple surgeries since. “It came on all of a sudden,” said David. “I had a colonoscopy once painful symptoms presented, and then in a span of six months I lost 35 pounds.”

David continued, “Three years ago, my longtime friend (and pledge brother), Neal Maziar asked me to get involved with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, helping to raise funds. Now I am working alongside Neal and Mark serving on the committee for the Gala. Our goal is simple: to continue the research and advance new treatments that can reduce the symptoms or possibly allow the next generatiuon to have full remission.”

Neal was the first of the three Omicron brothers to get involved with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. He was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when he was 35. He is now 63 and is in remission. Neal recalls, “I kept getting sicker and realized that the drugs weren’t working like we had hoped. You’re desperate and will try anything. I tried holistic approaches – Pilates and meditation and acupuncture, but regrettably, the disease was winning.” Over the next six years, Neal underwent several surgeries, including a full colectomy.

Neal added, “I still have the disease and there are occasional challenges. It has been a long and winding road, but I am good!  Honestly, when you are surrounded and supported and encouraged by family and friends that are true blessings in my life, there was no choice but for me to figure out how I was going to manage my disease. I wasn’t willing to miss out on what life has to offer.”

David commented, “It is so beneficial to have long time friends to talk to about what we are all going through – sharing the knowledge and experiences of different medications or doctors with one another. Now we have come full circle working together to help the next generation.”

The three brothers knew each other before they went to college but weren’t very close. “I knew Neal before college but if we’re being honest, I didn’t really like him,” joked David. “But then, you know, when we got to know each other in college, I realized that you know what, he’s not such a bad guy after all.”

Mark added, “I think it’s a tribute to the brotherhood of AEPi…that within two weeks I mean there was no doubt there were going to be lifelong friends. I always thought my high school friends would be the ones I stayed in touch with. And, here, all of the decades later, it’s my AEPi fraternity brothers who are my enduring and greatest friends in the world.”

“Our friendship of 40+ years has only grown stronger,” said Mark. “We have all been on different journeys as they relate to IBD, but we are all determined with our volunteering to ensure that the future generations have an easier road ahead.”

“We’ve been friends for a long time. Having these experiences didn’t bring us closer but it helped to a have a trusting, loving brother what we could commiserate with or talk to.”

“Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis can be tough and lonely. How lucky are we to be able to lean on one another during our respective challenges,” said Neal. “We worked and played hard when we were in college together. Years later we are still playing together while also working hard to raise awareness and money in search of better diagnosis and treatment.”

Mark said, “This is why Neal, David, and I are so passionate about the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. The Foundation was our first connection to the disease. In addition to the patient support, we quickly learned about the important work the Foundation was doing. Work ranging from research to clinical trials, education, and advocacy. With all three of us involved in the gala this year, it’s been really nice to see the outpouring of support from our fellow brothers.”

#ProudtobeaPi

The Torch Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Georgia Chapter. The Foundation has set a goal to raise $800,000 through its 2025 Torch Gala, with proceeds going toward funding critical research, to better treat and ultimately cure IBD, which include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and to improve the lives of children and adults affected by these diseases. In 34 years, the Torch Gala has raised more than $10 million. For more information, visit Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Torch Gala.

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