Bills announce formalization of Damar Hamlin charity, donations rise to over $8.6M

The Buffalo Bills on Sunday announced the formal creation of The Chasing M’s Foundation Charitable Fund as safety Damar Hamlin continues to make progress in his recovery from cardiac arrest on the field during a game on Jan. 2.

Hamlin started The Chasing M’s Foundation when he was in college at the University of Pittsburgh. The first order of business was to launch a toy drive in 2020 for his community. In the wake of his medical emergency, many people contributed to the fund and raised more than $8.6 million in about a week.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXBUSINESS.COM

Damar Hamlin watches the Bills play from his hospital bed. (@HamlinIsland / SPORTS REPORT+ /TMX)

Hamlin’s family announced the creation of the official charitable fund in partnership with The Giving Back Fund to facilitate everything that has gone into the player’s philanthropic efforts as a 501(c)(3)-verified nonprofit organization.

“Each day, Damar shows renewed strength and our family is incredibly grateful for the global outpouring of concern we have been given,” said Mario Hamlin, Damar’s father, via the team’s website. “We remain humbled by the prayers and good wishes of so many, which have helped to sustain us as he continues to heal.”

A video board message pays tribute to Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills prior to the game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Jan. 8, 2023, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images / Getty Images)

DAMAR HAMLIN’S DOCTORS RECALL HIM SETTING ‘EVERY ALARM OFF IN THE ICU’ IN RESPONSE TO BILLS’ KICKOFF RETURN TD

On Monday, the doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center revealed that Hamlin had been discharged from the facility and transferred to a Buffalo hospital.

Hamlin thanked the doctors for the care he received.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. (Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / Getty Images)

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

“Grateful for the awesome care I received at UCMC. Happy to be back in Buffalo. The docs and nurses at Buffalo General have already made me feel at home!” he tweeted.