It has been revealed that Jim Kelly will undergo another surgery on Thursday to address the re-occurrence of his oral cancer, which has returned more aggressively and is starting to spread according to his wife, Jill’s personal website.
“Cataloging a litany of appointment dates & times, scans, blood-work, diagnostic tests, and clinical abbreviations — the hospital rooms are where we “huddle-up” as a family to call the next play and plan the next move now that the cancer’s back, aggressive, and starting to spread” she wrote.
This will be his second cancer-related operation in less than a year.
WIVB reports that Kelly and his family flew to New York City via “Wings Flights of Hope” on Monday.
“Wings Flights of Hope has flown Kelly and his family to New York twice for medical treatment. It’s a free service with an all-volunteer staff. Joe DeMarco is the founder and pilot, he got a call from Jim Kelly’s team recently and they said time was of the essence, as it is for many patients. DeMarco said,”Transplant or anything like that, or someone going for their cancer treatment. We usually get them to New York, or Philadelphia or wherever, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, faster than you could just get through security and wait to get on a plane. When you’re ill, every minute makes a difference.”
There is no doubt that the Hall of Fame QB is in the fight of his life. I am sure any and everything that can be done for him is being called into service. He has made very clear that he intends to fight this as much as he is able to and we can only hope that the support he’s receiving can help to make this terrible bout winnable.