Donations to Damar Hamlin's foundation have exploded since the Buffalo Bills safety suffered cardiac arrest during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. As the sports world awaits updates on Hamlin's condition, well north of $3 million has been donated to the GoFundMe page for his charity toy drive.

Hamlin's heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he is sedated and listed in critical condition, according to the Bills. Buffalo released the update at 1:48 a.m. ET, a little less than five hours after Hamlin collapsed on the field at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium.

Before Monday's game was officially suspended, information about Hamlin's foundation was being shared on social media. Hamlin's charity, The Chasing M's Foundation, had raised around $2,900 for its community toy drive before the contest was stopped. By 10 a.m. ET Tuesday morning, $3.62 million had been raised.

"As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me," Hamlin said on the GoFundMe page for the foundation that he set up before being selected by the Bills in the 2021 NFL Draft. "I created The Chasing M's Foundation as a vehicle that will allow me to deliver that impact, and the first program is the 2020 Community Toy Drive.

"This campaign gives you the opportunity to contribute to our first initiative and positively impact children who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. 100% of the funds raised will go toward the purchase of toys for kids in need."

The toy drive benefits Kelly and Nina's Daycare Center in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, which is just outside Pittsburgh. The drive initially had a goal of $2,500.

Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter of Monday's game. He stood up and fell to the ground a few seconds later. CPR was administered to Hamlin on the field and he received oxygen as he was placed in an ambulance and taken to the hospital, according to ESPN.

"The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin," the NFL Players Association said in a statement. "We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar's health and well being."

Damar Hamlin (L) of the Buffalo Bills collapsed to the ground soon after tackling Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter of their NFL game on January 2, 2023
AFP