By Associated Press
Buffalo, NY – Hunter Kelly, the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, has died. He was eight years old.
A spokesman for the charity organization his parents founded says Hunter died at Women and Children's Hospital after developing breating problems at the family's home in Orchard Park Friday morning. Hunter's battle with the fatal nervous system disease called Krabbe disease inspired his father's charitable works aimed at finding a cure.
When he was born with the disease in 1997, doctors gave Hunter no more than three years to live.
The degenerative disorder of the central and peripheral nervous systems hinders development of the sheath that protects the brain's nerve fibers.
The Hunter's Hope Foundation created by his parents has so far raised more than $6 million for research.
Jim Kelly and his son share the same birthday, Valentine's Day.