Maahs family presents UI with $15,000 check for Hepatitis C research

Posted January 7, 2004

IOWA CITY -- The Maahs family of Epworth, Iowa, recently donated $15,000 for hepatitis C research at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.

The family members hosted their Third Annual Clownin' Around Golf Open last August at Timberline Golf Course in Peosta, Iowa. Funds raised by the event went into the Martha Maahs Hepatitis C Research Fund, established with the assistance of the University of Iowa Foundation.

The Maahses presented the $15,000 check to Michael D. Voigt, M.D., an associate professor (clinical) of internal medicine and a physician at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Family members say it's their way of thanking him for his compassionate care of their mother, Martha Maahs, who died from Hepatitis C in 2000.

The Maahses held the annual golf benefit to increase awareness of Hepatitis C in the community and to raise money to support important research of the blood-borne disease at the UI. Last year's event raised $12,000. The total raised in the first three years of the tournament is $37,000.

The golf event again drew 144 participants. There were more than 60 hole sponsors at the event, which was followed by a dinner, raffle and silent auction. Entertainment was provided by comedian "Mr. Nicks" from Oelwein, Iowa.

The pharmaceutical firm Schering-Plough Corporation was a major sponsor of the event, contributing $2,000. Local companies and groups contributed between $100 and $325 to sponsor holes at the golf outing.

Funds raised greatly exceeded expectations, event organizers said, and the Maahs family is already planning their fourth annual golf outing for Friday, September 3, 2004.

Martha Maahs contracted Hepatitis C in 1981, after a blood transfusion. (Blood products are now routinely screened for this virus.) She was not diagnosed, however, until 1998, when she had already developed cirrhosis of the liver. Martha was referred to Voigt by her regular physician in Dubuque. Voigt began aggressive treatment, but Martha's advanced condition did not respond.

Niki Perrenoud of Farley, Iowa, Martha's daughter, organized the golf fund-raiser along with her brothers Mike, of Dyersville, Iowa, Tony and Bruce, of Epworth, and her father, Dick, also of Epworth. Perrenoud said, "My mother spent many weeks in the hospital under Dr. Voigt's care. She respected him and trusted his opinion, and she always felt she received the best care from him."

Perrenoud continued, "It is vitally important that testing for hepatitis C be given early so that treatment can either stop or delay the progression of cirrhosis or liver cancer."

According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates, the current rate of around 10,000 deaths per year due to hepatitis C will triple by the year 2010. Most people who have hepatitis C do not experience symptoms until decades after they have acquired the virus, making blood testing an imperative part of prevention and treatment. Hepatitis C may lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer or liver failure. About four million Americans have hepatitis C but don't know it.

The CDC says that many people may have contracted hepatitis C through blood transfusions or by receiving blood products contaminated with the virus. Intravenous (IV) drug users who share needles are also at risk. Prior to 1992, a reliable screening test for hepatitis C did not exist, which means that individuals who received blood before then -- as Martha Maahs did -- are potentially at risk and should be tested.

Those interested in making reservations or donations for next year's golf outing can contact Niki Perrenoud at (563) 744-3081 or snperren@aol.com. For more information about supporting medical research, contact Mitch Beckman at the UI Foundation, (319) 335-3305, (800) 648-6973 or e-mail at mitch-beckman@uiowa.edu.

The UI Foundation is acknowledged by the UI as a preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university.

$325 Gold Sponsors
Advantage Trailer Sales - Farley, Iowa
Cliff Hart & Hy-Vee Pharmacy - Dubuque, Iowa
Cobra Lanes - Farley, Iowa
Demmer Oil - Worthington, Iowa
Dustbusters - Epworth, Iowa
Friends of Marty Maahs - Dyersville, Iowa
Hawkeye Tractor and Trailer - Dubuque, Iowa
Heiberger Insurance - Epworth, Iowa
Jeff Naderman Drywall & Plastering / Third Base Tap - Farley, Iowa
Maahs Auto Center - Farley, Iowa
Maahs Auto Sales - Dyersville, Iowa
Maahs Service - Epworth, Iowa
McCloud Pest Control - Galena, Illinois
Neo Brake - Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Pop-A-Top - Epworth, Iowa
Schering
Steve Willenbring Reality - Farley, Iowa
Thermo-King - Dubuque, Iowa
Thunderbolt Trucking - Dubuque, Iowa
Ultimate Impressions / Eye-Deal Optical - Peosta / Dubuque, Iowa
Wieneke's Friendly Service Mart - Dyersville, Iowa

$100 Hole Sponsors
Apex Concrete - Dyersville, Iowa
Cigna - Dubuque, Iowa
Epworth Radio & TV - Epworth, Iowa
Featherston Family - Epworth, Iowa
Horsfield Construction - Epworth, Iowa
Kertels Plumbing & Heating - Farley, Iowa
Pizza Factory - Epworth, Iowa
Right-Way Reality - Farley, Iowa
Schueller Construction - Farley, Iowa
Spring Green Lawn Care - Duane Weber - Dyersville, Iowa
State Bank. - Worthington, Iowa
Theisen Supply - Dubuque, Iowa
Weber Vending - Cascade, Iowa

Supporters
AC Delco
Adler Theater - Davenport, Iowa
AmericInn - Peosta, Iowa
Amy Burkle - Dyersville, Iowa
Amy Kluesner - Farley, Iowa
Anaheim Angels
Ashley and Mitchell Maahs - Epworth, Iowa
Barons Auto Parts
Bed Shop - Davenport, Iowa
Behnke Enterprise - Farley, Iowa
Bellevue Golf Course - Bellevue, Iowa
Bill, Amanda, and Eric Maahs - Epworth, Iowa
BJ and Jane Featherston - Epworth, Iowa
Bonnie and Lenny Murray - Fox River Grove, Illinois
Bunker Hill Golf Course - Dubuque, Iowa
CarQuest - Dyersville, Iowa
CAT Racing
Cathy Blanchard - Dubuque, Iowa
CES Computers
Chemsearch
Chris and Paul Hartman - Epworth, Iowa
Circa 21 - Rock Island, Illinois
Cole and Casey Perrenoud - Farley, Iowa
Comfort Inn - Dyersville, Iowa
Country Junction Restaurant - Dyersville, Iowa
Crisis Center
Dairy Queen - Dyersville, Iowa
Dave Wilson and family - Hopkinton, Iowa
Diamond Jo Casino - Dubuque, Iowa
Diana Smith - Dubuque, Iowa
Donna and Jerry Bardon - Epworth, Iowa
Dr. Pepper
Dr. Quagliano - Dubuque, Iowa
Eileen Schmitt - Epworth, Iowa
Evans Sales
Farm Tek - Dyersville, Iowa
Fillmore Fairways
Flexsteel (Mary Jo Schmitt) - Dubuque, Iowa
Fox Ridge Golf Course - Dike, Iowa
Flynn Ready Mix - Epworth, Iowa
Golden Wok Restaurant - Dyersville, Iowa
Goodyear
Greg and Gail Featherston - Epworth, Iowa
Happy Joe's - Cascade, Iowa
Hardees - Dyersville, Iowa
Hawkeye Truck & Trailer - Dubuque, Iowa
Hooters - Davenport, Iowa
Isabel Bloom - Davenport, Iowa
Isle of Capri - Bettendorf, Iowa
J & L Lumber - New Vienna, Iowa
J. Marie Interiors - Davenport, Iowa
Janet and Len Lykowski - Bartlett, Illinois
Janice Spitzack - East Dubuque, Illinois
Jim Dougherty - Epworth, Iowa
Joe and Barb Featherston - Dubuque, Iowa
John Hartford Memorial
Jumer's Casino - Rock Island, Illinois
Kansas City Royals
Kenny Beard
Key City Trucking
Kim and Susan Michnevitz - Elizabeth, Illinois
Kirchoff Distributing - Dubuque, Iowa
Kreeb Auto - Dyersville, Iowa
LeRoy's Restaurant - Dyersville, Iowa
Little Debbie
Longaberger Baskets, Gina Noel - Dubuque, Iowa
Lumber Specialties - Dyersville, Iowa
M&M
Mary Geischedle - FonDuLac, WI
Matthews Distribution
McDonalds - Dyersville, Iowa
McKesson - Dubuque, Iowa
McKesson Employees - Dubuque, Iowa
Megan and McKenzie Maahs - Epworth, Iowa
Minnesota Twins
MiTM - Peosta, Iowa
Myers Cox - Dubuque, Iowa
NAPA Racing
Navistar
Old Dutch
Patty Schmitt - Dubuque, Iowa
Penray
Quad City Botanical Center - Moline, Illinois
Radisson Hotel - Davenport, Iowa
Red Roof Diner - Peosta, Iowa
Rhythm City Casino - Davenport, Iowa
Rich Ballard - Epworth, Iowa
Rob and Laura Hoerner - Epworth, Iowa
Rolling Knolls Golf Course - Dyersville, Iowa
Ron 'Hummer' Kramer - Epworth, Iowa
Ron and Marion Blume - Epworth, Iowa
Ruby Tuesday - Davenport, Iowa
Scale Models - Dyersville, Iowa
Scale Models - Dyersville, Iowa
Scott Holmes - Hawkeye Utility Trailer - Davenport, Iowa
Silkers - Epworth, Iowa
Spahn & Rose Lumber - Dubuque, Iowa
St. Louis Cardinals
Subway - Dyersville, Iowa
Terry McDermott - Epworth, Iowa
TGI Fridays
The Baking Dish - Peosta, Iowa
The Lodge - Bettendorf, Iowa
The Machine Shed - Davenport, Iowa
Timberline Golf Course, Peosta, Iowa
Tom and Judy Madigan - Roselle, Illinois
Tom Danner - Dubuque, Iowa
Tom Saccomanno, Galena, Illinois
Toy Farmer - Dyersville, Iowa
University of Iowa Foundation
Utility Trailer - City of Industry, CA
Wieneke's Friendly Service Mart - Dyersville, Iowa
Woodbine Golf Course, Lockport, Illinois
Yellow Freight

Contact Information

Mitch Beckman
Director of Development, Carver College of Medicine
(319) 335-3305 or (800) 648-6973

Additional information about ways to support the Carver College of Medicine also is available on this site.