On Jan. 3, Niagara Falls was illuminated blue in support of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin.
Hamlin is currently in the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after suffering a cardiac arrest mid-game on Jan. 2.
The 24-year-old NFL player was resuscitated after his heart stopped during the game. An ambulance quickly took him off the field and into the centre, where he was supported by a medical team.
“Niagara Falls will be illuminated in Blue tonight at 9 pm in support of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills and the City of Buffalo,” read a tweet from the official Niagara Parks account on Jan. 3. “Our collective thoughts are with him, his family, his team and the City of Buffalo.”
The American Falls and Horseshoe Falls were both illuminated in support for the athlete.
The University of Cincinnati Medical Center has offered updates on Hamlin’s condition in the days since he collapsed on the field.
Hamlin’s breathing tube has since been removed, and the progression of his recovery has allowed him to speak to his family and care team. Hamlin was able to speak to his fellow Bills through a FaceTime call on Jan. 6.
The cause of Hamlin’s cardiac arrest is unknown. Doctors have been conducting tests to discover why Hamlin’s heart stopped.
Hamlin’s first moment upon waking up was detailed in a news conference by Dr. Timothy Pritts, a trauma surgeon at the Medical Centre. Hamlin, who was still on a ventilator, wrote down a note to his medical team.
“Did we win?”
“Yes, Damar, you’ve won,” responded one of his doctors. “You’ve won the game of life.”
As of the time of writing, Hamlin remains in critical condition.