The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s 34th annual Torch Gala is set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Atlanta, with three fraternity brothers at the helm.
The 2025 Torch Gala Chair Mark Schwartz and his longtime Alpha Epsilon Pi brothers, Neal Maziar and David Rones, are involved in planning the fundraiser. Each of the friends has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, chronic autoimmune diseases that are characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract.
The goal is to raise $800,000 through this year’s gala to fund research to treat and cure Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. In 34 years, the Torch Gala has raised more than $10 million.
“When we first met as Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) pledge brothers at the University of Georgia 45 years ago, we knew we would have a bond for life,” said Schwartz, who was diagnosed 21 years ago. “Little did we know at that time that our bond would be our fraternity, trips, and families, and our shared battles with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.”
Research studies show that approximately 1 in every 100 people in the U.S. currently has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). An estimated 100,000 Georgians are affected annually by the disease.
Maziar, 63, was the first to get involved with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 35, he had tried medication and holistic approaches like Pilates and acupuncture, “but regrettably, the disease was winning.” After several surgeries, including a full colectomy, Maziar is now in remission.
Maziar pulled in Rones, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2015 at age 54. Rones said his journey started with pain and sudden weight loss, and he’s been through several surgeries. Maziar and Rones are serving on a committee for this year’s gala.
“Our goal is simple: to continue the research and advance new treatments that can reduce the symptoms or possibly allow the next generation to have full remission,” Rones said.
Schwartz suffered from stomach issues growing up, but when pain and autoimmune and joint issues became more intense in his 30s, he was referred to a gastroenterologist. He started oral medication – at times taking up to 16 pills a day -and committed himself to working toward a cure.
They all agreed that through the challenges, pain, surgeries, the best medicine was the support of friends.
“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,” Schwartz said.
“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 Maziar. “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.”
For more information about the event, visit the website.
