MECHANIC FALLS — A local firefighter who was told by his doctor he could go blind soon is expected to undergo his first eye surgery October 24. 

Lieutenant Jon Damon of the Mechanic Falls Fire Department suffers from Keratoconus, a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the normally round, dome-shaped cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge to develop, according to members of the Eyes 4 Jon Team, a group which formed to raise money for the cause. 

“Remember our goal to have one eye fixed by the first of the year?” said Katherine Gray, a friend of Damon’s who also helped form the group. 

“Well, we’ve met our goal!” she said Monday. 

In a little over two months, Eyes 4 Jon raised a total of $9,500, which is halfway to reaching the ultimate goal, said Gray. 

Damon was diagnosed with Keratoconus in high school. He was recently informed by his doctor that if he does not undergo a corneal transplant in both eyes, he could possibly go blind. 

A corneal transplant is Damon’s only cure – the operation is expected to cost upwards of $22,000, said Gray. Because his condition is pre-existing, Damon’s insurance would not have covered his surgery until next year.

But thanks to generous donations, Damon is already one step closer to being cured. On September 5, the group reported it had made $2,000 in just one week. 

Of 300 fire departments in Maine, approximately 65 have donated toward the cause, said Gray, and the donations keep coming in. 

The group also managed to raise more than $4,000 during this past weekend’s benefit softball tournament, through a golf cart raffle and concessions, she said. “It was a huge success!” 

Ten teams participated in the one-pitch double elimination tournament – the winner of the tournament was Bryant Energy of Mechanic Falls. 

Teams from Auburn, Gray, Oxford and Norway also participated in the tournament. 

The group also plans to raffle off one cord of firewood split and delivered, as well as sell Eyes 4 Jon t-shirts and wristbands during the Otisfield Harvest Dance on October 20. The event begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. 

Wristbands are being sold for $2 at White’s Marina in Norway, Great Lengths hair salon in Oxford, Marios Restaurant in New Gloucester and the Otisfield Town Office. They can also be purchased by contacting Katherine Gray at 754-3352.

Gray said about $2,500 more is needed by October 24 to help Damon through his first surgery. 

Donations can also be made at TD Bank or Rainbow Federal Credit Union in Mechanic Falls under the “Eyes 4 Jon” account or via Pay Pal by emailing eyes4jon@hotmail.com.

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