NFL player Damar Hamlin set to be released from hospital within 48 hours – and reveals how $8.6m in donations will be spent | US News

NFL player Damar Hamlin is expected to be released from hospital within the next 48 hours – and it’s been revealed how the $8.6m (£7m) donated to his GoFundMe page will be spent.

The 24-year-old’s heart had to be restarted twice after he suddenly fell to the ground and went into cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on 2 January.

He was said to still be in “critical condition” last Thursday at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, but was transferred to a hospital back in Buffalo on Monday.

The recovering Buffalo Bills star is undergoing further tests before he doctors believe he is fit to be released.

Michael Hughes, senior vice president and chief administrative officer at Kaleida Health, which operates the Buffalo General Medical Center where Hamlin is being treated, told CNN that he is healthy enough to leave the facility within 48 hours.

Hamlin’s medical team said it would also “potentially treat any pathology that may be found, as well as plan for his recovery, discharge and rehabilitation”.

In a statement, Buffalo Bulls said Hamlin was in “good spirits” and head coach Sean McDermott said he saw him briefly on Tuesday.

“[Hamlin’s] just very tired but he seems happy and happy to be back in Buffalo and around a familiar area to him,” Mr McDermott said.

“What a blessing, just incredible progress that he’s made and incredible care that he’s been under, both in Cincinnati and now here. So we’re just very thankful for that. Just thankful that Damar is back and resting in Buffalo here.”

Hamlin was also feeling well enough to post his own update yesterday – telling fans he was “not quite home yet”.

The football star has been recovering rapidly, advancing from a ventilator to communicating via written message – then breathing on his own as well as talking to family, doctors and teammates.

Over the weekend he began walking and eating a regular diet, according to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page set up by Hamlin to support young people through education and sports hit $8.6m in donations following his cardiac arrest, after its initial goal was just $2,500.

He is said to be using some of the proceeds from the sale of new T-shirts, emblazoned with “Did We Win?” along with his hands in the shape of a heart, to raise money for the Cincinnati medical facility that treated him.

Read more Cardiologist on what may have been behind Hamlin’s collapse

Hamlin teamed up with The Giving Back Fund, a non-profit that helps athletes and celebrities manage their charitable giving, to host the “The Chasing M’s Foundation” Charitable Fund. Chasing M’s is Hamlin’s apparel company.

GoFundMe representatives said the crowdfunding platform will soon transfer the donations that have come in since his collapse.

Hamlin and his family “are humbled by the tremendous support that has been shown as he recovers”, his marketing representative Jordon Rooney said.

“They are incredibly grateful for the continued prayers and outpouring of concern that has been exhibited by people all over the world.”