Damar Hamlin travels to D.C. to push for bill for schools to have AEDs

Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin traveled to Washington, D.C. with some children from Pittsburgh to fight for a bill that makes sure all schools have access to automated external defibrillators or AEDs, which is a device that saved his life on the football field.Hamlin wants school officials to be able to have the same response, as those on the NFL sidelines, when it comes to emergencies, such as cardiac arrest.That's why the Mckees Rocks native and University of Pittsburgh alumnus is in Washington, D.C. pushing for the Access to AED act, which will provide schools with automated external defibrillators.Hamlin said, "So today I thank you for focusing on the idea that every kid should have the same access to the life-saving emergency response that I did, should they need it."An AED saved Hamlin's life when doctors say he collapsed from cardiac arrest during a Monday night game on national television.“Thankfully the medical team with the buffalo bills was prepared and it saved my life," Hamlin said.On Wednesday, he was in the nation's capital with the country's lawmakers trying to create change for children.Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-Mccormick, who represents the 20th district of Florida said, "It's an honor to be here and present this with our bipartisan support because this is an American issue."Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "For damar, we all remember the entire nation and really the entire world joined in somber prayer during this time in our country damar's injury and recovery unified us all."Hamlin spoke to families who lost their kids to cardiac arrest. With his own young relatives by his side, he's doing what he can to prevent the tragedy from happening to others.“Today we are so humbled and inspired by what I feel god has given me an opportunity to help and protect young people based on what I have experienced," Hamlin said.Hamlin said cardiac arrest happens to more than 7,000 kids under the age of 18 every year in the United States. He says most of them are student-athletes.Hamlin said for the schools that have AED the survival rate for those children is seven times higher.Currently, 23 states have AED school requirements.

WASHINGTON —

Hamlin wants school officials to be able to have the same response, as those on the NFL sidelines, when it comes to emergencies, such as cardiac arrest.

That's why the Mckees Rocks native and University of Pittsburgh alumnus is in Washington, D.C. pushing for the Access to AED act, which will provide schools with automated external defibrillators.

Hamlin said, "So today I thank you for focusing on the idea that every kid should have the same access to the life-saving emergency response that I did, should they need it."

An AED saved Hamlin's life when doctors say he collapsed from cardiac arrest during a Monday night game on national television.

“Thankfully the medical team with the buffalo bills was prepared and it saved my life," Hamlin said.

On Wednesday, he was in the nation's capital with the country's lawmakers trying to create change for children.

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-Mccormick, who represents the 20th district of Florida said, "It's an honor to be here and present this with our bipartisan support because this is an American issue."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "For damar, we all remember the entire nation and really the entire world joined in somber prayer during this time in our country damar's injury and recovery unified us all."

Hamlin spoke to families who lost their kids to cardiac arrest. With his own young relatives by his side, he's doing what he can to prevent the tragedy from happening to others.

“Today we are so humbled and inspired by what I feel god has given me an opportunity to help and protect young people based on what I have experienced," Hamlin said.

Hamlin said cardiac arrest happens to more than 7,000 kids under the age of 18 every year in the United States. He says most of them are student-athletes.

Hamlin said for the schools that have AED the survival rate for those children is seven times higher.

Currently, 23 states have AED school requirements.

Damar Hamlin travels to D.C. to push for bill for schools to have AEDs

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