When you split time between reading and reporting on numbers and refereeing football games, having keen eyesight is invaluable. You need to be able to see an erroneous number, a wayward decimal point and whether or not someone on the offensive line is holding. For Bethlehem's Ron Blaufarb, a financial advisor by trade and a passionate Division III football referee, losing the ability to see would be detrimental to both his happiness and the security of his family's future. After being diagnosed with keratoconus, a thinning disorder of the cornea, Ron's vision, his career and his passion were all in jeopardy.
“When I was diagnosed with keratoconus,” Ron says, “my first thought was how am I going to feed my loved ones and pay college tuitions with my vision quickly depleting?” In order to restore his vision, Ron needed a corneal transplant. Corneal tissue cannot be fabricated—a donor's tissue is required to abate the effects of keratoconus. Ron was fortunate enough to receive two corneal donations. First in 2010 and again in 2013, Ron underwent corneal transplant surgery. His vision was restored perfectly.
“After my surgery, I did something I should have done long ago, I researched the corneal donation process,” Ron says. This brought him to the Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank in Bethlehem, and it marked the beginning of his role as a supporter of their work. Ron is committed to assisting the eye bank in whatever way possible, and he urges others to support them as well. “The Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank has a fan for life,” Ron says. “It is through…the selfless mission of this eye bank that we are given the opportunity to touch the future for others who will face the challenges we already have.”
Ron's volunteerism has helped to bring thousands of dollars to the eye bank. His fundraising efforts have taken the form of 5Ks and fun runs, and he excelled (the raising over one thousand dollars sort of excelling) at bartending during an event called Therapeutic Thursday. His dedication to mentoring corneal transplant recipients and educating the community has allowed him to become a figurehead for the Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank's mission. Anyone interested in helping out can look to the Eye Bank's website or Facebook page for further information.
2346 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.625.3800 | paeyebank.org
