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Damar Hamlinis still making a difference, even while intubated in a hospital.
The 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety —who is now awake and responsive, his doctors said Thursday— has been hospitalized since Monday night, when he needed to be resuscitated on the field after going intocardiac arrestduring a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Since then, donations have been pouring into Hamlin’s toy drive fundraiser, which began with a goal of raising just $2,500. And the donors include a few major names — from $10,000 donations from both Brady and Ciara and Wilson, to $18,003 (a reference to Hamlin’s #3 jersey) from Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots.
The two biggest donations, both $25,003, came from owner Jim Irsay and his Indianapolis Colts, and then Sheets Laundry Club, a sustainable laundry subscription service.
“One of Sheets' founders is a father and a lifelong Bills fan who is from Altoona PA, 2 hours from Hamlin’s hometown of McKee Rocks, PA,” the companyexplained on Twitter. “Helping kids has always been close to the heart of Sheets and we love everything Hamlin stands for.”
Other major donors included L.A. Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, with $10,000, and his quarterback, Matthew Stafford, with $12,000. The Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans also each donated $10,003.
Tom Brady.PHOTO: John McCoy/GettyTom Brady.PHOTO: Norm Hall/Getty Images
Tom Brady.
PHOTO: John McCoy/GettyTom Brady.PHOTO: Norm Hall/Getty Images
In an update on the campaign’s page, Hamlin’s representatives said they’re “hopeful about Damar’s future involvement in disbursing the incredibly generous contributions.”
On Thursday, the Bills and Hamlin’s agent said the Bills safety is awake and has “shown remarkable improvement.” However, they noted he is “still critically ill.”
“Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours,“the Bills wrote.
RELATED VIDEO: Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin Had to Be Resuscitated a Second Time, Says Uncle
They added: “While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress. We are grateful for the love and support we have received.”
TheNFLannounced Tuesday that the postponed game between the Bengals and Billswill not be rescheduledfor this week after the incident.
source: people.com
