Our Programs
The Chasing M’s Foundation is working to create programs and opportunities that will bring Damar’s mission and vision for the charity to life.
In 2023, Damar launched the Chasing M’s CPR Tour, which reached thousands of people who received free, hands-only CPR training to help save lives. The tour also provided no-cost AEDs for youth sports organizations in each community.
“Because of what I experienced, I’m working to make sure kids across the country have the same access to life-saving care that I did - if they need it,” said Hamlin. “Because of the generosity of so many people around the world, I’m grateful to have this unexpected life mission and this amazing chance to give back.”
Partnering with the American Heart Association, the Chasing M’s CPR Tour traveled from Buffalo to Pittsburgh, celebrated July 9 as Damar Hamlin Day, and ended in Cincinnati on July 22, where Damar had the opportunity to thank the medical team that helped to care for him in January.
Speaking to the crowds that came to learn CPR, Hamlin said, “As my life experience has shown us, AEDs are life-saving. Growing up, through all the years I played football, I don’t remember ever thinking about CPR training or whether there was an AED nearby. It just never crossed my mind. And it isn’t just football. It involves so many sports - at every level, as well as schools. Now, people all over the country are focused on it, which is really exciting to see.”
This fall, the Chasing M’s CPR Tour also went international when the Buffalo Bills played in London. CPR education training was given to fans at the NFL Experience London, and Chasing M's also distributed and provided training for AEDs to youth organizations in the UK. London is just the first of more international stops in 2024. As Damar said, “I’m so excited about the reaction people have had to my CPR Tour this year and the impact it is having. I’m inspired by them - and what we can do together.”
Stay tuned to learn more about a community toy drive in Pittsburgh and our Chasing M’s CPR Tour in 2024.
The Chasing M’s CPR Tour
In April 2022, Damar helped introduce the bipartisan Access to AEDs Act brought to the House of Representatives by Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) and Bill Posey (R-Fla.).
This is a bipartisan bill that would establish a grant program to provide schools with the funds to purchase and maintain AEDs, strengthen CPR training, and develop cardiac emergency response plans.
“Sudden cardiac arrest happens to more than 7,000 kids under the age of 18 every year in our country – 7,000 kids every year. The majority of the kids impacted are student-athletes, and research shows that 1 in every 300 youth has an undetected heart condition that puts them at risk. For schools that have AEDs, the survival rate for the children from sudden cardiac arrest is 7 times higher,” shared Damar on Capitol Hill.
CHampioning the Access To AED Act
Damar will never forget where he came from, and he is committed to using his platform to positively impact the community that raised him.
To deliver that impact, the first program of the Chasing M’s Foundation was launching the annual Community Toy Drive in 2020.
Community TOY drive
In Damar Hamlin’s hometown, the Sto-Rox Little Vikings Youth Sports Organization took to the field at National Championship in Florida.
SUPPORT FOR OUR YOUTH
It was an exciting season for the Sto-Rox Little Vikings Youth Sports Organization, as the kids showed up, worked hard and delivered wins during the 2023-2024 football season. This year, for the first time, Sto-Rox sent all 5 of their teams to the Pittsburgh City League WPYAA Championship, where three of the teams brought home first place trophies. In addition, Sto-Rox sent their 8U and 12U teams to Florida to compete in the UYFL National Championship tournament, where the 8U landed a second place win!
Through the support of the Chasing M's Foundation and the NFL Foundation, this season was defined not just by scoreboard wins, but by a united community. The support of these foundations provided new uniforms for each of the kids this season, as well as funds to lower the costs for families to have their kids sign up to play. As the boys continued to succeed and moved on to the National Championships, additional support provided new track suits and travel bags for each of the teams and allowed the kids to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip across the country, to compete at a national level.
A special thanks to president Cameron Culliver and all of the parents, boosters and volunteers who help the kids to have these kinds of experiences. Our community is filled with pride and looks forward to next season! Go Little Vikings!
