When Damar Hamlin faced a life-threatening situation on the field at Paycor Stadium on Jan. 2, it was the concerted efforts of individuals from both Cincinnati and Buffalo that saved his life. As the Buffalo Bills prepare to return to Cincinnati for the first time since that fateful day, Hamlin is launching a new scholarship program to honor those who played a pivotal role in his care. The Damar Hamlin’s Cincinnati Heroes Scholarship aims to support underserved high school and college-bound students in the Greater Cincinnati area, providing them with the opportunity to attend private high schools, trade schools, or Cincinnati-area universities.
Damar Hamlin, through his Chasing M’s Foundation, has instituted the Damar Hamlin’s Cincinnati Heroes Scholarship program. This initiative aims to recognize and honor the 10 individuals who were involved in Hamlin’s care in Cincinnati. These professionals played a vital role in saving Hamlin’s life, and this scholarship program serves as a tribute to their dedication and skill. Hamlin expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’m humbled by the opportunity to set up a scholarship program to honor this team of professionals — my Cincinnati heroes — who helped save my life on January 2.”
The primary objective of the Damar Hamlin’s Cincinnati Heroes Scholarship is to provide financial support to underserved students in the Cincinnati community. The program aims to assist students in attending private high schools, trade schools, or Cincinnati-area universities. By offering scholarships of $1,000, Hamlin’s foundation seeks to alleviate the financial burdens that these students may face when pursuing their educational goals. Funding for the scholarships will be provided over a three-year period, with the first round of scholarships set to be awarded in 2024.
Damar Hamlin, hailing from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, holds his hometown community close to his heart and believes in the power of support and giving back. Having received a scholarship himself to attend and play football at Central Catholic, a private school in Pittsburgh, Hamlin values the importance of providing opportunities to others. His journey to the NFL has afforded him the chance to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Hamlin recognizes the significance of having a role model from his own community who achieved success and gave back, saying, “Somebody from my area who was successful in life was giving back to the community, showing the community that this is the right way to go about things.”
This weekend’s game between the Bills and the Bengals will not be Hamlin’s first return to Cincinnati since his cardiac arrest. Over the summer, Hamlin hosted one of his CPR Tour stops in the city, providing people with the opportunity to learn hands-only CPR and distributing automated external defibrillators to youth sports teams. After his life was saved, Hamlin experienced an outpouring of support, with over $9 million being donated to a GoFundMe initially set up for a toy drive at his mother’s day care. Hamlin attributes his post-recovery success to divine intervention and expresses his gratitude for the support he has received. He states, “I feel like God played a big part in all of that. Just seeing that I was someone who was actually doing the work and actually trying to make an impact somewhere, and I think [God] just took it to another level.”
The Damar Hamlin’s Cincinnati Heroes Scholarship will be named after the 10 individuals who played key roles in Hamlin’s care. These remarkable individuals include B. Woods Curry, M.D. (airway physician, field response), Betty Tsuei, M.D. (surgical ICU), Saad Ahmad, M.D. (cardiology), Jason McMullan, M.D. (emergency response physician, field response), Claire Deglow, RN (SICU), Alyssa Zimmerman, RN (SICU), Val Lake, RN (SICU), Rob Hursong, EMT-P (supervisor, paramedic), John Bush, RRT (field RT), and Gary Richardson, RRT (SICU RT). By naming the scholarships after these heroes, Hamlin aims to immortalize their contributions and express his gratitude for their life-saving efforts.
Although Damar Hamlin is not expected to be actively playing in the upcoming game between the Bills and the Bengals, his main priority remains the team’s success. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present and moving forward. His resilience and determination to overcome adversity serve as an inspiration to those around him and to the students who will benefit from the Cincinnati Heroes Scholarship program. Dane Jackson, a longtime friend and college teammate, shares Hamlin’s outlook, saying, “His main goal is for us to get a win. He’s not really worried about really too much what happened last year. We experienced it more than him, really, if that makes sense.”
Damar Hamlin’s Cincinnati Heroes Scholarship program is a testament to the power of gratitude and the desire to uplift others. By honoring the individuals who saved his life, Hamlin recognizes the importance of their contributions and seeks to support underserved students in pursuit of their educational dreams. Through his foundation, Hamlin is leaving a lasting impact on the Cincinnati community and inspiring others to give back.
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