Damar Hamlin: Bills safety’s cardiac arrest underscores importance of North Texas nonprofit

CARROLLTON, Texas — In sports, anything can happen. 

Sadly on Monday, the unthinkable did happen when Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during a game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals. A collective community held its breath in hopes of a positive outcome. 

The reality we all know now more than 18 hours later is that Hamlin is still in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest.

“It hits our family a little different when we see or hear a story like this,” said Darian Jones, a family member and a board member with Living For Zachary.

It was just 13 years ago when Zachary Schrah collapsed on the field at the Plano East High School campus. Schrah unexpectedly collapsed at football practice on April 2, 2009. The 16-year-old’s life was cut short by something that was undetectable from the outside.

Schrah’s mother, Karen, started the nonprofit Living for Zachary in June of 2009. Living for Zachary’s mission is to raise awareness and prevent sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in youth. 

“Being able to have access to an AED, automatic external defibrillator, within a minute gives you a 90% chance of survival,” said Jessica Cook, Executive Director of Living for Zachary.

Since 2009, the nonprofit has installed 500 defibrillators, conducted more than 10,000 heart screenings, and handed out scholarships at youth-based organizations and schools. Cook says all of that has been made possible because of donors and strategic partners like Baylor Heart Hospital and Frontera.

“Something that could have derailed a family or destroyed a family has provided so much life for our community,” said Jones.

Monday’s incident is a painful reminder that their job is not done.

“Your heart goes out to [Hamlin], his family, and his teammates…everyone. The world was watching,” said Cook. 

The nonprofit is offering free heart screenings in McKinney on Saturday, Jan. 14 from 9 am to 2 pm. The screenings at the Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital are for youth between 12 and 22 years old.

“We’re living through him. Everything we do is for Zac. His legacy continues on,” said Cook.

Donations to their cause can be made here.