Honor Hunter's Hope Day

Senate Resolution No. 48 BY: Senator RANZENHOFER MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to commemorate February 14, 2017, the 19th Annual Hunter's Hope Foundation Day of Hope and Prayer for Children in the State of New York, in conjuction with their annual day to raise awareness and support for Krabbe Disease WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality of life for children in the communities across this great State of New York is enriched by the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals of distinction whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of children; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to proclaim Hunter Kelly's birthday, February 14th, as the 19th Annual Hunter's Hope Foundation Day of Hope and Prayer for Children in the State of New York; on Saturday,

February 11, 2017, Hunter's Hope will host a day of activities and celebration for local families at the ADPRO Sports Training Center; and WHEREAS, The Hunter's Hope Foundation was established in 1997, by Professional Football Hall of Fame member and former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly, and his wife, Jill, in honor of their son Hunter (2/14/97-8/5/05) who was diagnosed with Globoid-Cell Leukodystrophy, more commonly known as Krabbe Disease; and WHEREAS, The Kellys started Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children on February 14, 1998, to celebrate the shared Valentine's Day birthday of their son, Hunter James Kelly with his father, Jim Kelly; and WHEREAS, Hunter Kelly was born on February 14, 1997, and four months following his birth, was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, an inherited, fatal, nervous system disease; and WHEREAS, Hunter Kelly lived to be eight and a half years old, and lost his life to Krabbe Disease on August 5, 2005; the Kellys have continued with Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children as a celebration of love, prayer and thanksgiving for all children everywhere; and WHEREAS, Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children is a special time for families to come together and spend time having fun while enjoying music, dancing, games, face painting, and refreshments; at the conclusion of the event, there is a special time of prayer for all children; and WHEREAS, Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children is a free event open to people of all ages, races and walks of life; the celebration has continued successfully for 19 years and continues to have dozens of sponsors throughout the Western New York Community; and WHEREAS, In recent years, the event has welcomed approximately 4,000 children and parents annually and has been held in the ADPRO Sports Training Center; and WHEREAS, The Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children fulfills one of the primary goals of Hunter's Hope, to remind parents how blessed they are to have the gift of children; and WHEREAS, Jill and Jim Kelly hope that through sharing Hunter's story, they inspire in parents an appreciation of all children and thankfulness for these precious gifts of life; and WHEREAS, Hunter's Hope Foundation is the Kellys lifelong commitment to increase public awareness of Krabbe Disease and other Leukodystrophies thus increasing the probability of early detection and treatment; to gather and provide current, functional information and service linkages to families of children with Leukodystrophies; to fund research efforts that will identify new treatments, therapies and ultimately, a cure for Krabbe Disease and other Leukodystrophies; and to establish an alliance of hope that will nourish, affirm and confront the urgent need for medical, financial and emotional support of family members and those afflicted with Leukodystrophies; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to commemorate February 14, 2017, the 19th Annual Hunter's Hope Foundation Day of Hope and Prayer for Children in the State of New York, in conjuction with their annual day to raise awareness and support for Krabbe Disease; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, and the Hunter's Hope Foundation, Orchard Park, New York.