Damar Hamlin Takes D.C. - Bills DB Visits Capitol Hill to Support AEDs Act
A little less than three months removed from his sudden on-field collapse, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made another public appearance Wednesday, though this one may be the most significant of them all so far.
Hamlin and his family visited Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to show support for the Access to AEDs Act. The House introduced the new legislation on Wednesday, which would allow elementary and secondary schools to receive the proper funding to introduce automated external defibrillators (AED) and CPR programs, giving children easier access to potentially life-saving information and equipment within their schools in case of an emergency.
Hamlin spoke and the podium and was joined by his younger brother and two younger cousins. His message? That children - especially those who play sports - are at a greater risk of suffering sudden cardiac arrest than people realize.
"To me, these kids represent why we are all here today," Hamlin said. "As I was growing up playing football, I don’t recall ever thinking about CPR or knowing where an AED was in my school or on the athletic field.
"For those of you who played sports, I’d imagine your experience was similar. With my coaches on the field and my family in the stands, we didn’t plan what would happen if sudden cardiac arrest should happen to me or to one of my teammates."
Hamlin was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who showed support for the Buffalo safety by sporting a blue No. 3 Bills jersey with "Schumer" on the back.
"Damar Hamlin is the epitome of resilience, perseverance and bravery," Schumer said. " ... Damar’s impact goes beyond the field and stretches thousands of miles outside of western New York. During a time when Damar could have retreated into a quiet recovery, he’s instead using his voice to turn his story into a life-saving mission for millions of children across the nation."
Schumer said the goal is to get the AEDs Act passed by 2024.
But until then, it's a safe bet that Hamlin will stop at nothing to continue raising awareness for a life-changing cause ... one that helped save his own life on that Jan. 2 night in Cincinnati.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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