A toy drive that was launched by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin received more than $4m in donations after he experienced cardiac arrest following a hard hit to his chest during a game on Monday night, according to reports.
Hamlin, who collapsed on the football field during the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals, was given CPR and his heartbeat was restored on the field. He was taken to hospital for additional testing and treatment and “is currently sedated and listed in critical condition”, the Bills said early on Tuesday.
Many of the 24-year-old’s fans showed their support by donating to Hamlin’s charity, the Chasing M’s Foundation. Hamlin, who was raised in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, launched the charity prior to being selected as a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
“As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively [affect] the community that raised me,” Hamlin wrote on a GoFundMe campaign supporting his charity. “I created The Chasing M’s Foundation as a vehicle that will allow me to deliver that impact, and the first program is the 2020 Community Toy Drive.
“This campaign gives you the opportunity to contribute to our first initiative and positively impact children who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. 100% of the funds raised will go toward the purchase of toys for kids in need.”
Prior to Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, his foundation had received about $2,900 in donations, NPR reported, citing an archived version of the fundraiser’s page.
GoFundMe tweeted about the outpouring of donations on Monday night. “Following his injury on the field tonight, fans across the country are showing their support for him and his family by donating to his fundraiser,” the website said.
A representative for Hamlin’s family, Jordon Rooney, said that he launched the toy drive in college. The new donations will “support his foundation, which does toy drives, [a] back to school drive, kids camps and more”, he wrote on Twitter.
Many donors voiced their support for Hamlin in the fundraiser’s comments, wishing him a full recovery. “Prayers to Damar, his family and his Bills family,” one donor wrote. Another said: “Prayers up, please pull through this.”
Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after tackling Tee Higgins. The Bengals receiver led with his right shoulder, which landed on Hamlin’s chest.
Hamlin then put his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to push him down. He got on his feet and seemed to adjust his face mask, but he fell backward about three seconds later. Hamlin then lay motionless on the ground.
About 100 Bills fans and several Bengals supporters convened at an intersection about one block from the emergency room in apparent support of Hamlin. Roughly an hour after Hamlin’s collapse, the National Football League said that the game – which had been paused – would not resume.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available,” league officials said in a statement. “The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.”
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