Chiefs Hall-of-Famer helps raise awareness with Amyloidosis Army

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Art Still’s biggest opponent was never on the field. It was silently lurking inside him throughout his 136 games in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform.

“You get accustomed to having pain,” the former defensive end said. “Every game, you’re beating your body up.”

That’s why, for most of his life, Art attributed his lasting joint pain, shoulder problems and heart issues to the wear and tear of a 12-year NFL career.

A routine check through the NFL Player Care Foundation this year revealed the true cause.

“When they threw the word out, it took me about a year or so to be able to pronounce ‘Amyloidosis,’” Still said. Art is among the one in 25 African Americans genetically predisposed to Amyloidosis — a disease that causes abnormal proteins to build up in organs, eventually leading to failure.

“Every day, we meet people and all that are dealing with issues we know nothing about,” Still said. “Be kind.”

The Chiefs Ring of Honor member was left trying to cope with a diagnosis he knew almost nothing about. Little did he know, he had a new teammate across town going into battle with him.

Approximately one in 100,000 people of Irish descent is diagnosed with the disease – including Mike Lane of Kansas City. Lane’s diagnosis came six years prior, right before a lifesaving drug became available in the United States.

“I had a fatal disease, no treatments, no cures. I probably had like two years to live,” Lane said. “I’m not going down without a fight.”

Lane attended Amyloidosis symposiums and conferences across the country in hopes of learning more about the often under-diagnosed condition. He frequently left feeling unsatisfied with vague sentiments of “more needing to be done.”

Then, he met Art.

“This is borderline miraculous,” Lane said. “People look up to him and they’ll listen to him. That opens doors and opens peoples’ ears.”

The pair teamed up to form their very own non-profit: the Amyloidosis Army.

They hold monthly presentations at community centers and churches across the Metro to raise awareness and encourage people to get tested if they suspect they have Amyloidosis.

“A simple swabbing of your mouth can maybe make a big difference,” Still said. “It’s not as rare as you would think,” Lane said. “It’s out there.”

Symptoms of the disease include heart problems, fatigue, weakness, swelling in the legs and ankles, shortness of breath and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

Still and Lane had no idea the disease existed until they were diagnosed. They hope by getting the word out, patients can seek treatment before the disease becomes fatal.

“You speak to 20 people, 25 people, they go back out and they tell 25 people, then they tell 10 people — the word’s getting out,” Lane said.

“When you help others, you heal yourself,” Still said. “Being able to get this out in the community and all, that’s part of the healing process.”

“As long as I’m breathing, I’m fighting,” Lane said. “Where there’s life, there’s hope. You never know. Tomorrow they could get a cure.”

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