“We knew we would have a bond for life,” says East Cobber David Rones, referring to his longtime friends, Neal Maziar and Mark Schwartz. “And in fact, we have: our shared battles with IBD – specifically, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.” The three friends met 45 years ago as Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) pledge brothers at the University of Georgia.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract.
A sales and marketing executive for Americo, David was 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,” he explains. “I had a colonoscopy once painful symptoms presented, and then in a span of six months I lost 35 pounds.”
David remembers talking to his friends, Mark and Neal about their own symptoms.Mark was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease 21 years ago and Neal was diag nosed with Ulcerative Colitis 28 years ago.
David says, “Three years ago, Neal 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 Foundation’s Torch 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.”
David says, “It is so beneficial to have close friends to talk to about what we all went 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.”
“Our friendship of 40+ years has only grown stronger,” says 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.”
“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,” says 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.”
David adds, “The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation does such important work for the IBD community. From research and education, to patient support and clinical trials. And volunteering alongside my lifelong friends is just another reason to commit to the Foundation.”
THE CROHN’S & COLITIS FOUNDATION
Research studies show that approximately 1 in every 100 Americans currently have IBD, and an estimated 100,000 Georgians are affected annually by the disease. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the largest non-profit voluntary health agency dedicated to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improving the quality of life of those affected.
TORCH GALA
The Foundation’s Torch Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Foundation’s Georgia Chapter. The Foundation has set a goal to raise $800,000 through its 34nd Annual Torch Gala on February 8, 2025. Proceeds will go 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.
More information: www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/ chapters/georgia.