ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Damar Hamlin's foundation continued getting donations Wednesday, with the total pushing toward $7 million raised in only the two days since the Buffalo Bills safety's heart stopped during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
On Thursday morning, the total passed $7 million. Some NFL teams and players made significant donations to the fundraising drive that Hamlin set up in December 2020 with hopes of having his foundation provide toys for needy children.
On Saturday, the Steelers paid tribute to Hamlin, who is from the Pittsburgh area, by delivering toys, books and teaching supplies to Kelly & Nina’s Daycare, where the player hosts an annual toy drive. Fans, players and team owners have also made donations to Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, which has raised just more than $8.2 million by Saturday afternoon.
In its first two years of existence, the donation drive raised about $2,900. After Hamlin's injury, more than 200,000 donations — averaging about $32 — were made in less than 48 hours.
His charity, the Chasing M's Foundation, said Wednesday that it was still formulating a plan on how to use the money.
“We’re simply awestruck by the level of support and generosity we’ve seen over the past two days," read a statement from the foundation on the GoFundMe page. “With over $6 million raised, this fundraiser has become an overnight reminder of the incredible nature of humankind. Your actions directly reflect the type of human Damar is himself. ... We’re hopeful about Damar’s future involvement in disbursing the incredibly generous contributions."
The foundation says it has used past donations for toy drives, back-to-school drives and camps for children.
Hamlin collapsed on the field after a tackle in the first quarter of Monday night's Bills game against the Bengals.
ESPN reported that Hamlin was given CPR for about 10 minutes on the field. He was eventually moved onto a stretcher and transported from the field in an ambulance.
A statement released by the NFL said Hamlin is in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.