Damar Hamlin, an NFL player, announced on Monday what he plans to do with the $10 million received for him after he suffered a heart arrest during a game on January 2. According to PEOPLE, the Buffalo Bills safety announced in a statement to The Associated Press that he will donate the monies to his charity.
Following his on-field breakdown, fans and supporters donated to a GoFundMe account he had originally set up to gather funds for a local gift drive. Donations were also made to another fundraising in his honor, with both campaigns raising approximately $10 million.
“We have been very deliberate and intentional about taking our time to set my charity up properly,” Hamlin told The Associated Press. “I’m excited to begin sharing news about programs we are creating to impact a generation of youth and give back to others.”
Hamlin reportedly sought for retroactive tax-exempt status for his Chasing M’s Foundation earlier this month. According to reports, the 25-year-old filed the application in Pennsylvania. The purpose of Hamlin’s foundation, according to the filing, is to support “the aspirations of youth and community members through sports [and] education” and to “promote health and safety in sports through CPR & AED training.”
Hamlin made the statement as he prepared to return to the field after being hospitalized. His team also claimed that he had been “fully cleared” to play by doctors.
“Physically, I’m getting stronger,” Hamlin told the American Heart Association in a recent interview. “I’m just trying to focus on the right foot in front of the left.”
The 25-year-old was taking part in a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals when he collapsed. Several players and teams extended their thoughts and prayers for the Buffalo Bills’ safety shortly after the tragedy.
Hamlin remained in the hospital for nine days before being released. Since then, the 25-year-old has become a vocal advocate for heart health. He visited the White House in March to meet with President Joe Biden and also spoke before Congress in support of the Access to AEDs Act, according to PEOPLE. The Act aims to assist schools obtain additional defibrillators.