Jim Kellys son passes away

**FRCDFED** · 08-05-2005, 07:21 PM

Jim Kelly's 8-year-old son dies
Hunter Kelly had been suffering from Krabbe Disease
Posted: Friday August 5, 2005 12:58PM; Updated: Friday August 5, 2005 5:23PM

Born in 1997, Hunter Kelly was given no more than three years to live after being diagnosed with Krabbe disease.
AP
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Hunter Kelly, whose battle with a fatal nervous system disease inspired his Hall of Fame father Jim Kelly's charitable works, died Friday. He was 8.

Hunter died at Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Hunter's Hope Foundation spokesman John Dudek said. Hunter had been having trouble breathing, possibly the result of the humidity and high temperatures that have hovered in the 90s this week.

"He has been struggling for a while," Dudek said.

Hunter's doctor, Patricia Duffner, said he died of respiratory failure.

Hunter's Hope Foundation, named after Jim Kelly's son, was established in 1997 by the Hall of Fame quarterback and his wife, Jill. It has raised more than $6 million and awarded more than $3.8 million to leukodystrophy and other neurological disease-related research.

Born in 1997, Hunter Kelly was given no more than three years to live after being diagnosed with Krabbe disease, an inherited degenerative disorder of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The disease hinders development of the myelin sheath, a fatty covering that protects the brain's nerve fibers.

The disease has no known cure.

The foundation released a statement saying the Kelly family is grateful for the support people have shown.

"It is the family's hope that all who mourn for their son, Hunter, would join them in thanking the Lord for his precious life," the statement read.

Jim Kelly, who led the Bills to an unprecedented four straight AFC titles in the early 1990s, had credited his son for serving as his inspiration after he retired from football following the 1996 season.

"He'll never be able to do what daddy did," Kelly said last year. "But he's going to do greater things. He's going to make a difference in kids' lives. He already has."

He also paid tribute to Hunter in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech in 2002.

"It has been written throughout my career that toughness is my trademark," Kelly said. "Well, the toughest person I've ever met in my life is my hero, my soldier, my son, Hunter. I love you, buddy."

Kelly and his son shared a birthday -- Valentine's Day.

Duffner credited the Kelly family for Hunter living well beyond the initial prognosis and for its help in Krabbe research.

"He was such a brave little boy. ... He was a tough kid, like his dad," Duffner said. "It's really quite remarkable how one family has changed the course of a disease."

She noted that New York will begin screening newborns for the disease, something which the foundation has long favored.

The Kellys will hold a public memorial service Tuesday in Hamburg, N.Y., and ask that donations be made to the Hunter's Hope Foundation.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

**FRCDFED** · 08-05-2005, 07:22 PM

Rest in peace little man!! May God bless you and your family!

mikey23545 · 08-05-2005, 07:32 PM

Condolences to the Kelly family...Very sad....

chiefs4me · 08-05-2005, 07:43 PM

My heart goes out to the family, I cannot imagine the pain they are in....parents are not supposed to bury their children.

Coach · 08-05-2005, 08:24 PM

RIP little man.

I always liked Jim Kelly playing. He was a solid QB for the Bills.

Sure-Oz · 08-05-2005, 08:27 PM

Crush · 08-05-2005, 09:10 PM

RIP little guy.

08-05-2005, 07:21 PM
FRCDFED Line'em up Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: somewhere out there Casino cash: $9026297	Jim Kellys son passes away Jim Kelly's 8-year-old son dies Hunter Kelly had been suffering from Krabbe Disease Posted: Friday August 5, 2005 12:58PM; Updated: Friday August 5, 2005 5:23PM Born in 1997, Hunter Kelly was given no more than three years to live after being diagnosed with Krabbe disease. AP BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Hunter Kelly, whose battle with a fatal nervous system disease inspired his Hall of Fame father Jim Kelly's charitable works, died Friday. He was 8. Hunter died at Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Hunter's Hope Foundation spokesman John Dudek said. Hunter had been having trouble breathing, possibly the result of the humidity and high temperatures that have hovered in the 90s this week. "He has been struggling for a while," Dudek said. Hunter's doctor, Patricia Duffner, said he died of respiratory failure. Hunter's Hope Foundation, named after Jim Kelly's son, was established in 1997 by the Hall of Fame quarterback and his wife, Jill. It has raised more than $6 million and awarded more than $3.8 million to leukodystrophy and other neurological disease-related research. Born in 1997, Hunter Kelly was given no more than three years to live after being diagnosed with Krabbe disease, an inherited degenerative disorder of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The disease hinders development of the myelin sheath, a fatty covering that protects the brain's nerve fibers. The disease has no known cure. The foundation released a statement saying the Kelly family is grateful for the support people have shown. "It is the family's hope that all who mourn for their son, Hunter, would join them in thanking the Lord for his precious life," the statement read. Jim Kelly, who led the Bills to an unprecedented four straight AFC titles in the early 1990s, had credited his son for serving as his inspiration after he retired from football following the 1996 season. "He'll never be able to do what daddy did," Kelly said last year. "But he's going to do greater things. He's going to make a difference in kids' lives. He already has." He also paid tribute to Hunter in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech in 2002. "It has been written throughout my career that toughness is my trademark," Kelly said. "Well, the toughest person I've ever met in my life is my hero, my soldier, my son, Hunter. I love you, buddy." Kelly and his son shared a birthday -- Valentine's Day. Duffner credited the Kelly family for Hunter living well beyond the initial prognosis and for its help in Krabbe research. "He was such a brave little boy. ... He was a tough kid, like his dad," Duffner said. "It's really quite remarkable how one family has changed the course of a disease." She noted that New York will begin screening newborns for the disease, something which the foundation has long favored. The Kellys will hold a public memorial service Tuesday in Hamburg, N.Y., and ask that donations be made to the Hunter's Hope Foundation. Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posts: 3,199

08-05-2005, 07:22 PM	#2
FRCDFED Line'em up Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: somewhere out there Casino cash: $9026297	Rest in peace little man!! May God bless you and your family!
Posts: 3,199

08-05-2005, 07:32 PM	#3
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	Condolences to the Kelly family...Very sad....
Posts: 12,314

08-05-2005, 07:43 PM	#4
chiefs4me Whatever.. Join Date: Sep 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	My heart goes out to the family, I cannot imagine the pain they are in....parents are not supposed to bury their children.
Posts: 9,512

08-05-2005, 08:24 PM	#5
Coach Champs! Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $3788476	RIP little man. I always liked Jim Kelly playing. He was a solid QB for the Bills. __________________ Super Bowl IV, LIV, LVII & LVIII Champions 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, & 2025 AFC Champions 1985 & 2015 Major League Baseball World Series Champions 1980, 1985, 2014, & 2015 Major League Baseball American League Champions 2015 American League Central Division Champs
Posts: 54,692

08-05-2005, 09:10 PM	#7
Crush Amateur Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $2377091	RIP little guy.
Posts: 15,298

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