When Damar Hamlin thought about how he wanted to recognize the two-year mark of the day he experienced cardiac arrest, he focused on honoring the training staff of the Buffalo Bills. On January 2, Hamlin united trainers from the Buffalo Bills at a dinner, thanking them for their impact on his life and the inspiration they provided as he recovered. Hamlin also surprised them by announcing the expansion of his Chasing M's Foundation youth scholarship program, which began in Cincinnati, to include a new Buffalo Heroes scholarship.
"Two years ago, my life was forever changed, and I stand here today because of the incredible training staff who acted quickly and saved me," said Hamlin. "Their dedication, expertise, and compassion remind us of the importance of being prepared in the moments that matter most. Tonight, I honor them - not just for saving my life, but for inspiring me to continue giving back and spreading the message of preparedness and hope."
Similar to the Cincinnati youth scholarship he launched on January 2, 2024, Hamlin's Buffalo Heroes Scholarship will support underserved high school and college-bound students who hope to attend Buffalo area private high schools, trade schools or universities.
"I created this scholarship program for kids in underserved communities who need some support as they plan to go to a private high school, trade school or on to college," said Hamlin. "When I look back, the financial support I got that allowed me to go to Central Catholic High School in my hometown of Pittsburgh had a big impact on the course of my life. Today, I'm reminded of the blessing I've been given through my charity and the gift of being able to give to others."
For the Buffalo Heroes Scholarship, Chasing M's Foundation has pledged a total of $1,000 for 10 scholarships annually, over a three-year period. Details, criteria, and information for students interested in applying will be available on the charity website at www.chasingmsfoundation.com on February 1. The first round of scholarships will be awarded in 2025.
ABOUT CHASING M's FOUNDATION
Damar Hamlin's charity is dedicated to the development, health & safety of youth through sports, engagement activities, training & programming. Since experiencing cardiac arrest on January 2, 2023, Hamlin has been dedicated to increasing awareness of the need for access to AEDs to save lives, creating legislative change, and providing CPR education. Working with the NFL Smart Heart Coalition and American Heart Association, Hamlin advocated for the HEARTS ACT which was signed into law on December 25, 2024. This new law will help protect kids through grants for schools to secure AEDs, create emergency action plans to support their use and teach life-saving CPR skills. As a direct result of Hamlin's work as an Ambassador with the American Heart Association, more than 3 million people have been inspired to learn more about CPR through online education. Given an unexpected life mission, Hamlin's charity has given more than $700,000 worth of AEDs to under-resourced communities, provided CPR education to thousands of people and invested funds to create community programs to encourage young people to live their dreams and inspire people who face adversity. To learn more, go to: https://www.chasingmsfoundation.com.
