West Bloomfield event aids diagnosis and treatment of Crohn's and colitis. Robert Ortlieb Special to the Jewish News N oah Safian, 15, of West Bloomfield, diagnosed with Crohn's disease six years ago, has good and bad days. Right now, he has more good days than bad. When Noah was 9, he began experienc- ing stomach pain. "He was swimming com- petitively, and we just thought it was a case of nerves:' says his mother, Maureen. "But then he practically stopped eating. He lost lots of weight and stopped growing" Today his Crohn's is managed with infu- sion therapy — much like a chemotherapy treatment — every six weeks, his mom, a former nurse, explains. His chronic condition, which is now in remission, doesn't prevent him from doing most things teens enjoy, including playing on his high school lacrosse team. "It's definitely been eye-opening. You never think someone in your family will develop a chronic disease Maureen says. Now she and her husband, Robert Safian, M.D., a Beaumont cardiologist, are part of a group called conQuest dedicated to rais- ing funds to support Beaumont's Digestive Health Center of Excellence in the treat- ment, education and research of Crohn's and colitis. Their first conQuest event is An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin" on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. "For both of us, it's a personal connec- tion:' says Dr. Safian. "Since we've gotten involved, we've come to realize there is a whole community affected by inflamma- tory bowel disease. It's something most people don't like talking about. There is a need for greater awareness, and a need to enhance the availability of care and resources in the community" Crohn's disease is one condition among a group called inflammatory bowel dis- eases. Ulcerative colitis is another IBD. Together, the two are the most common. While symptoms of the two diseases are similar, they usually affect different areas. Crohn's can affect any part of the gastroin- testinal tract, usually the small bowel, and ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine, also called the colon. "IBD is characterized by chronic, inter- mittent inflammation of the GI tract:' explains James Lynch, M.D., chief, Colon and Rectal Surgery and physician-in-chief, Beaumont Hospital, Troy. "Both Crohn's and ulcerative colitis result in an abnormal response by the body's immune system. "While both conditions can be man- aged, there are presently no cures for these diseases and they commonly require a lifetime of care. Both dramatically affect the quality of life for more than 47,000 Michigan residents, young and old." The causes of IBD are unknown, but thought to involve genetic, immuno- logic and environmental factors. IBD occurs more in people of Caucasian and Ashkenazic Jewish origin. General admission tickets for the event featuring Detroit native Lily Tomlin are $150 and include the theater performance and dessert reception. Tickets can be pur- chased online at wwwtheberman.org or by calling the Berman box office at (248) 661- 1900. Theater doors open at 7:30 p.m. ❑ Robert Ortlieb is in media relations at Beaumont Health System. Maureen and Dr. Robert Safian Help For Victims Jewish organizations mobilize funding in response to Colorado flooding. V arious Jewish organiza- tions, including the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and B'nai B'rith International, are mobilizing to help the victims of unprec- edented flooding across Colorado, which has swept through 15 counties, killing at least seven people and displacing thou- sands. The Jewish community has not escaped the disaster. In Boulder, several feet of floodwater swept into both the Har Hashem Reform synagogue and Bonai Shalom Conservative congregation, damaging both buildings, while the Chabad Lubavitch of Boulder County also was badly hit. Many commu- nity members are reporting flooded homes as well. So far more than 1,500 homes have been destroyed in the flooding, which has wiped out roads and bridges and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes, businesses and institutions. Rain continued to fall Monday, swelling flooded rivers and ham- pering response efforts. JFNA has opened a mailbox and online donation fund, and has provided $50,000 26 September 19 • 2013 JN in emergency aid to the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado as of Sept. 16. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Colorado:' said Michael Siegal, JFNA board chair. "Jewish Federations across North America are working closely with the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado and will do whatever we can to help those in the Jewish and general com- munities who are suffering." The Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado is taking the lead in assessing needs on the ground and distributing funds and supplies throughout the community. One hundred percent of donations to the JFNA fund will go to the Allied Jewish Federation's relief effort. To donate online, go to http://bit.ly/18quPyo . Funds can be mailed to Jewish Federations of North America, Wall Street Station, P.O. Box 157, New York, NY 10268. Meanwhile, B'nai B'rith International has opened its Flood, Tornado and Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund to benefit Colorado flooding victims. Funds raised will be used to help victims as they rebuild their communities, includ- ing more than 100 miles of road and 20-30 7.1 Colorado National Guardsman respond to floods in Boulder County, Colo. bridges that will need repair. "The destruction and aftermath of this flood is sure to alter many lives, and B'nai B'rith would like to help restore some sense of normalcy to these people said Allan J. Jacobs, B'nai B'rith International president. "B'nai B'rith has helped disaster victims since 1865. Each disaster has its own unique challenges. As always, we will care- fully evaluate needs and provide assistance to address immediate needs and longer- term rebuilding efforts:' The B'nai B'rith Flood, Tornado and Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund aided vic- tims of Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012, as well as the victims of the Moore, Okla., tornado in May 2013. B'nai B'rith disaster relief funds have also provided aid inter- nationally, assisting earthquake victims in Haiti and Japan, and following manmade disasters, such as the Boston bombing. To donate through B'nai B'rith, go to http://bit.ly/18pEpSb, or call (800) 573- 9057 to make a credit card contribution over the phone. Checks payable to the B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund can be mailed to B'nai B'rith International, Flood, Tornado and Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund, 2020 K Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006. ❑