Byron Nelson
The original goal to collect toys from Hamlin’s hometown was $2,500.
If there is any hope of being caught up in the terrifying situation around Damar Hamlin, it comes directly from the Defensive back of the Buffalo Bills’ two-year GoFundMe.
After Hamlin’s collapse and hospitalization caused the suspension of a “football Monday night” game, her only available public fund-raising hit close to $7 million. The initial objective of the GoFundMe, established to fund a toy drive in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, was $2,500.
Over 200,000 people have donated to the cause.
Hamlin’s representatives updated the GoFundMe page Wednesday, saying they were “impressed” by the “support and generosity” shown over the past two days.
According to the Bills, “Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight. He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him.”
We’re simply awestruck by the level of support and generosity we’ve seen over the past two days. 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, according to syracuse.com.
As representatives of Damar, the team at Jaster Athletes posted the fundraiser updates and will work with the Hamlin family, The Chasing M’s Foundation, and the GoFundMe team to ensure the safe delivery of funds.
Because the situation is evolving, we’ll continue to communicate any updates on the fundraiser. We will also work with GoFundMe to email all donors with more specifics regarding the use of funds as those details are available. As you can imagine, this has been a challenging time for the family. We appreciate your understanding as we give them the time and space they need to focus on Damar’s health first.
We’re hopeful about Damar’s future involvement in disbursing the incredibly generous contributions. We thank you again for your support and look forward to updating you along the way.
Some of the people that have donated include seven-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, who donated $10,000 to Damar Hamlin’s toy drive, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara also gave $10,000, as did AEW wrestler Chris Jericho. Rams Matthew Stafford, who has missed time this season to due concussions also donated $12,000.
