If it weren’t for CPR, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin wouldn’t have gotten his heart beating back at Paycor Stadium a few weeks ago.
That realization led Hamlin to launch a CPR challenge, which he announced is associated with the American Heart Association.
The «Damar Hamlin 3 for Heart» challenge is similar to the viral «Ice Bucket Challenge,» which raised awareness and funded ALS research. Hamlin wants people to record videos of themselves doing the challenge and tag friends to spread the word.
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«I want to thank everyone for their love and support these past few weeks,» Hamlin said. «As you know, CPR saved my life earlier this year in the field, and CPR could easily save your life or the life of someone you love.
«I’m proud to announce that I’m partnering with the American Heart Association and launching Damar Hamlin’s 3 For Heart CPR Challenge. And of course, this one has three steps.»
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The first step is to go to heart.org/3, which will have a short video on hands-only CPR. Second, Hamlin is asking for donations to the AHA to fund CPR awareness and education.
Finally, tag three friends to do the same, and you picked some pretty powerful personalities.
«To start off, I’m challenging the GOATS: LeBron James, Tom Brady and Michelle Obama. They’ve all been challenged. And, one more thing, be sure to share your videos on all social media and tag me and have your hearts up,» he said. .
Hamlin spoke last week for the first time on camera since he went into cardiac arrest on January 2. The 24-year-old attended the Bills’ divisional round game against the Cincinnati Bengals two weeks ago dressed in layers and was seen throwing up his now-signature heart hands while in a suite.
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«Now that my brothers have closed out a strong and winning season, while I continue to make a lot of progress in my recovery, I think it’s finally a good time to share a few things,» he said in a statement. Instagram post on Saturday. «I think it was important for me to wait and speak publicly at the right time as it was a lot to process mentally, physically and even spiritually. It’s been a lot to process. But I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all the love, all the support and everything that has come to me.
«What happened to me at Monday Night Football, I feel is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my passion and love straight from my heart with the whole world, and I can give it back to children and communities all over. the world that needs it the most, and that has always been my dream. That has always been what I stood for and what I will continue to stand for.»
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Hamlin went on to thank the Bills’ medical staff, as well as the doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, who «acted willingly and skillfully to save my life.»