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Damar Hamlin Calls On Congress To Pass Legislation For AED Funding

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) (L) greets Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin at an event to introduce the Access to AEDs Act on March 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. Bills' safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game, helped introduce the bill that would improve students' access to defibrillators in public and private elementary and secondary schools. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

During his visit to Washington D.C. this week, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin called on Congress to pass the Access to AEDs Act, which would provide funding for schools to implement programs for CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators.

Hamlin’s life was likely saved by medical personnel on the field for the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. Hamlin suffered a cardiac event following a collision and required multiple resuscitations over the course of several hours.

“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 said in a statement to Congress. “On Jan. 2, that all changed for me and my entire family, particularly my mom, Nina, and my dad, Mario, who are here with me today. Thankfully, the medical team with the Buffalo Bills was prepared, and they saved my life.”

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Hamlin’s support of the Access to AEDs Act is connected to his “3 for Heart” campaign, which he began after his accident to raise awareness of AED and CPR programs and protocols. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) pledged to get the act passed by 2024.

“Damar’s impact goes beyond the field and stretches thousands of miles outside of western New York,” Schumer said. “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.”

Hamlin also met with President Joe Biden during his D.C. visit Thursday. The two reportedly discussed Hamlin’s recovery and his effort to promote legislation for improved health services.

“The president thanked Damar for his courage, resilience, and can-do spirit which has inspired the American people,” a White House press office statement said. “He commended Damar for his efforts — including through legislation — to bring people together and make life-saving technologies more widely available.”