Fight against Crohn’s disease hits home for marathon sponsor

By Paul Takahashi

Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010 | 1:55 a.m.

It’s a common practice for businesses and corporations to donate money, time and volunteers to local causes.

For Ed Bernstein, his law firm’s decision to help sponsor the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America this weekend transcended prudent public relations: It was personal.

Ever since his daughter, Dana Bernstein, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease – an autoimmune disease that causes gastrointestinal inflammations that make it painful to eat solid food – 18 years ago, Ed Bernstein has spent more time in a hospital caring for his daughter than he, or any parent, would have wanted.

“She’s been through a myriad of hospital procedures,” the Las Vegas attorney said. “It’s been very difficult.

“Crohn’s and colitis are two really insidious diseases,” 21-year-old Dana Bernstein said. “You can have some really rough days.”

Dana experienced severe pain and weight fluctuations as a result of Crohn’s disease, a chronic and often debilitating digestive illness that affects more than 1.4 million Americans, including 150,000 children.

As a result of all her medical treatments and symptoms, which included abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss, Dana was not able to graduate with her high school class. She’s a freshman at UNLV, where she’s enrolled part-time, studying communications.

“It’s hard to deal with as a teenage girl, with your body ballooning from over-absorption to becoming a skeleton,” Dana said, recalling her days in and out of high school. “It was scary.”

After six surgeries and more than 50 hospital visits, the Bernsteins are still fighting for ways to help find a cure.

For the second year in a row, Ed Bernstein’s namesake law firm is a marathon sponsor.

Dana Bernstein is also helping, continuing to raise awareness about the disease. She was the city’s “Local Hero” during last year’s marathon and is a national ambassador for CCFA, giving educational speeches about her experience living with Crohn’s disease.

The marathon, which is in its second year of a three-year commitment to benefit CCFA, attracted 30,000 runners last year. The Bernsteins are hoping for 35,000 participants this year for the nonprofit organization’s largest single fundraising event.

“It was really inspiring to see the outcome last year,” Dana said. “It’s going to be amazing this year.”

The Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon takes place Sunday along the Las Vegas Strip.