BUFFALO, N.Y. — Hunter Kelly, 8, whose battle with a nervous-system disease inspired his Pro Football Hall of Fame father Jim Kelly's charitable works, died yesterday.

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

Hunter's Hope Foundation released a statement saying the Kelly family is grateful for the support people have shown.

Jim Kelly, a former quarterback with the Buffalo Bills, established Hunter's Hope Foundation with his wife, Jill, in 1997 in honor of their son. 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.

Records are scarce, but experts believe Hunter was one of the longest living of people who developed Krabbe as an infant. The disease can also develop in juveniles and adults.

Hunter spent most of his life in a wheelchair and hooked up to a respirator and feeding tube, while receiving around-the-clock care from his family and therapists. He eventually was able to lift his arms and head, and learned to communicate via a series of facial expressions.

He had displayed a grasp for understanding, able to comprehend stories read to him. And he recently showed a capacity for bowling, able to hold a ball, shake his hand and aim it in the direction of pins.

Jim Kelly had credited his son for serving as his inspiration after he retired from football after the 1996 season.