Jim Kelly in the Chicago Area

[Luvbills]

Thought I'd post this here in case any of you live in the area~Kelly will be in Oak Forest Sunday for Krabbe benefit

 

 

Jim Kelly has lived an incredible life. He ranks as one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the National Football League, guiding the Buffalo Bills to four Super Bowl appearances. In 2002, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

 

Like so many of us, he took a lot of things for granted.

 

Today, Kelly doesn't take anything for granted.

 

Anything.

 

"When you have a child with a deadly disease, it makes you think about a lot of things you've done in your life and just how blessed you are to have been able to live out your dreams," Kelly explains.

 

When Kelly comes to Chicago's Gaelic Park, 6119 West 147th Street, in Oak Forest on Sunday, he'll be continuing his crusade to raise money to find a cure for Krabbe Disease.

 

Here's a chance to meet an American sports hero. He'll be at Gaelic Park from 1 to 7 p.m., signing autographs from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. The fee includes a dinner with Kelly, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, music provided by "Good Rockin' Tonight" and a cash bar.

 

A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold, so space is limited. Tickets can be purchased at Biker's Attic, 117 North 2nd Street, Peotone (708-258-9093) and Signature Awards, 3444 Ridge Road, Lansing (708-474-6077), or by calling the Liam Hammonds Memorial Foundation at 708-957-7273.

 

You can also go online at www.liamsmemorialfoundation.org.

 

Hunter's Hope is the foundation set up by Kelly and his wife, Jill, after their infant son Hunter was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, an inherited, fatal, nervous system disease. Hunter has beat the odds and is now 8 years old. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $4 million to leukodystrophy and other neurological disease related research.

 

The foundation is Kelly's lifelong commitment to increasing public awareness of leukodystrophies as well as to increase the likelihood of early detection and treatment. Their ultimate goal is to raise money to fund research efforts to identify new treatments, therapies and a cure for Krabbe and other leukodystrophies.

 

When Kelly comes to Gaelic Park in Oak Forest on Sunday to talk about his passion, "Tackling Krabbe Disease," he'll be continuing to educate people about the foundation he has established to raise money to find a cure.

 

"Traveling across the country and meeting so many people has been extremely rewarding," Kelly said.

 

On April 13 Kelly will be signing Hunter's Hope bears in Victor, N.Y. Three days later he'll be in Fort Myers, Fla. for the Drive Fore Hope Golf Classic.

 

In May there's a Sister Cities golf tournament in New York, followed by a Motorcycle Fun Run on June 5. And the list goes on.

 

He says he won't stop until a cure is found.

 

Hunter's Hope Foundation has become Kelly's lifelong commitment.

 

Kelly has never been one to duck a challenge. He has been from one end of this country to the other, trying to spread the word about Krabbe Disease.

 

"Each state is different in what diseases they are required to test for in children before they're born," Kelly said. "Early detection is the key. We must continue to talk to politicians and lobby hard for what we believe is right. All states should be testing for this disease and many other diseases. It's a slow process, but we're getting there.

 

"There is nothing like seeing your child walk, talk and smile. When I travel the country, I'm able to share my stories and listen to the parents who have been going through the same things that Jill and I have experienced.

 

"I want these parents to know they have someone to talk to. Every person needs a shoulder to lean on. We're in this together.

 

"We've gotten to know Scott and Terry Hammonds (of Country Club Hills) very well. They're wonderful people. They have such big hearts."

 

Scott and Terry Hammonds have set up the Liam Hammonds Memorial Foundation for their son, who passed away from Krabbe Disease when he was 9½ months. The foundation offers financial aid to families who are dealing with this disease.

 

On Sunday, you can meet Jim Kelly. You can meet Scott and Terry Hammonds.

 

You can also meet Steve and Kelly Levon, whose daughter Anna is age 3 and suffering from Krabbe Disease. Steve is a graduate of Bloom High School.

 

And there will be other families to talk to who have been affected by Krabbe.

 

On the HuntersHope.org website, Jill Kelly talks about her son.

 

"Hunter was born on his daddy's birthday, Valentines Day, Feb. 14, 1997. Hunter passed all of the newborn tests with flying colors, weighing in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 21 inches. Our dream had come true. God had given us a beautiful, healthy son. We were ecstatic.

 

"In Hunter's fourth month, his body was becoming stiffer, he was having trouble swallowing and he was experiencing mild seizures. Hunter's neurologist decided to test his blood for leukodystrophies. Our worst nightmare came true.

 

"On June 23, 1997, Hunter was diagnosed with Krabbe disease. Now we are praying for a miracle."

 

Jill Kelly talks about her son's journey, year by year. It's an emotional story, one that families throughout the world are experiencing.

 

That's why it's important to stop by Gaelic Park on Sunday, meet Jim Kelly and listen to what he has to say.

 

He's attacking this disease just like he did opposing defenses in the NFL.

[HurlyBurly51]

I'm thinking of going. Just in case anyone was wondering, they will not allow you to bring items in for the autograph session. They will be giving out Hunters Hope mini footballs.