Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's toy drive fundraiser has hit over $3.6 million after his terrifying on-field cardiac arrest on Monday (January 2).
The 24-year-old NFL star - whose team was playing a game against the Cincinnati Bengals - stood up after what appeared to be a routine tackle against Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. However, Hamlin began to sway slightly and fell to the ground on his back and remained there, unmoving. Ambulances arrived on the scene within five minutes before paramedics administered CPR.
Footage has circulated online of players and coaches from both teams taking a knee in a circle around Hamlin as he received CPR - many of them fighting back tears.
Buffalo Bills released a statement shortly after the incident, tweeting: "Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition."
Recent updates on Hamlin's condition have revealed that he is still not able to breathe on his own, despite showing improvements in his vitals, per First Sportz.
In the day since Hamlin's cardiac arrest and subsequent hospitalization, a Christmas toy drive that he originally began with his foundation back in 2020 - a fundraising effort that he hoped would raise around $2,500 so he could distribute toys to children in need in Pennsylvania over the festive period - has now reached over $3.6 million in donations.
At the time, the then-22-year-old created a Go Fund Me page to help raise the funds needed for his philanthropic efforts.
"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. 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," the fundraiser's description read.
"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," it continued.
Now, close to 140,000 donations later the total money raised has reached close to $3.7 million - reaching millions virtually overnight.
"If you are not able to contribute monetarily, you can support this initiative in other ways. We are accepting donated toys at the Daycare Center or simply spread the word by sharing this fundraiser on your social channels.
"Thank you so much for supporting me on and off the field. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with you to help make the holiday season a little brighter for the kids in our community," Hamlin ended the fundraiser caption.
Fans had been moved to donate after hearing of Hamlin's hospitalization, and also took to Twitter to praise ESPN - the sports broadcaster responsible for airing the game - for their respectful broadcasting of the devastating incident.
"ESPN has always done a class job handling these situations, especially in motorsports where they relied on analysts acknowledging the situation's gravity and helping viewers through it until we know more. Suzy Kolber has done a great job being a calm voice keeping things on-task," one person wrote of the coverage.
Our thoughts are with Damar Hamlin's family, friends, teammates, and fans at this difficult time.