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Damar Hamlin before the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals during which the Bills pro suffered cardiac arrest
Photo Credit: IMAGO/JP Waldron/ IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
After professional football player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during an NFL game, tens of thousands showed their sympathy at a fundraiser for the 24-year-old.
The Buffalo Bills pro started raising money online for toys for needy children towards the end of his college career.
In the first few hours after Hamlin's collapse, donations grew from just under $3,000 to more than $4 million (around €3.8 million).
More than 150,000 people took part in the campaign.
Hamlin collapsed shortly after a defensive action during Monday night's top NFL game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.
He was resuscitated by paramedics and doctors for minutes before he was taken to a hospital.
"He is currently sedated and in critical condition," the Bills later said.
Family grateful for prayers and compassion
A family spokesman said Hamlin's loved ones are confident.
However, he did not give any details.
"All I can say is that he fights, he's a fighter," the rep told ABC.
In a statement, the family thanked fans for their prayers and donations.
"Your generosity and compassion means everything to us," it said.
On Hamlin's online fundraising page, launched several years ago, many donors left messages of encouragement and words of sympathy.
"There are moments in life that stop the world," one fan wrote. Others joined in prayers for Hamlin.
cev/dpa
