Damar Hamlin's online toy drive fundraiser touches $4 million mark as NFL star battles for life
CINCINNATI, OHIO: NFL star Damar Hamlin, 24, collapsed on the field during a game night on Monday. Following the incident, his online toy drive fundraiser has been receiving millions in donations. The Buffalo Bill's safety suffered cardiac arrested after a tackle in the first quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
As per a statement from Buffalo Bills, CPR was performed on the field to "restore his heartbeat" before he was taken to the hospital via an ambulance. He was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further tests and treatment. As his condition remains critical, the GoFundMe page he launched in 2020 to buy toys for the "children in need" is being flooded with donations. Apparently, 'charity' plays a vital role in his life since it benefits the "community" to which Hamlin belongs.
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Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin 'sedated' after suffering cardiac arrest on the field
"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 impact the community that raised me," he wrote on the fundraiser back in 2020. "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", it further reads.
The fundraiser topped $74,000 just one hour after Hamlin’s collapse and quickly grew to $2,033,270 just before 1 a.m. ET Tuesday, then soared to more than $3 million just an hour and twenty minutes later with more than 119,000 donations. When last reported, the fundraiser had crossed $3,973,910. "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," GoFundMe tweeted.
Here is the verified GoFundMe Demar Hamlin started in December to help kids have a magical Christmas.
— GoFundMe (@gofundme) January 3, 2023
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 💚https://t.co/wcubpBpdd1
The campaign, which had a $2,500 target, has already garnered millions of dollars. Fans have been donating and sending notes of support and prayers with their contributions. "From another mom of an athlete, we are praying, and we will keep praying for your sweet boy and family, you are not walking thru this alone, may God send His spirit to carry you all," one donator Catherine Castelluccio wrote. "Love to all and Love to all the kids in the world. Love to you, Damar Hamlin. Prayers," Joshua Mccombs said.
Meanwhile, a former St Louis Blues defenseman Chris Pronger, who collapsed mid-game in 1998 in Detroit after getting hit in the chest by a slapshot, tweeted his support for the Bills' Damar Hamlin on Tuesday by writing, "Prayers that Damar Hamlin can have the same outcome that I was fortunate to have with my incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Damar, his family, his teammates, and the greater NFL community during this incredibly scary time."
Prayers that Damar Hamlin can have the same outcome that I was fortunate to have with my incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Damar, his family, teammates and the greater NFL community during this incredibly scary time. 🙏🏻https://t.co/u90LBw5MfO
— Chris Pronger (@chrispronger) January 3, 2023
When last reported, he as per the statement from Buffalo Bills, "is currently sedated and listed in critical condition." As per Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, "Just the time is of such critical importance here in terms of taking care of someone like this. The response from the medical team was fast and seconds and minutes matter in a situation like this," Gupta said. The NFL postponed the game indefinitely after Damar's collapse, saying details on the next steps would come at an "appropriate time."