UPDATE, 1/10/23: Sto-Rox and Pittsburgh community leaders gathered at the Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School football field Monday evening for a vigil in honor of McKees Rocks native Damar Hamlin, a Buffalo Bills safety whose heart stopped after a tackle vs. the Cincinnati Bengals one week prior. There were several guest speakers at “A Gathering of Solidarity and Prayer,” including Damar’s uncle, Dorian Glenn. Among the other speakers and participants:
• Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, the EMS Director of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
• Sto-Rox School Board President Cameron Culliver
• McKees Rocks Mayor David Flick
• Tre Tipton, former Pitt teammate of Damar’s
• Bro. Michael Andrejko, Principal of Central Catholic High School
• Brian Cook, Director of Communications for Central Catholic High School
Each person spoke highly of Damar and his contributions to the community. Mayor Flick even mentioned that January 9 will become a holiday in McKees Rocks to, “do some good, think about Damar Hamlin and what is possible.”
“Three is a powerful number,” said Dr. Owusu-Ansah. She spoke about Damar’s recovery and cited statistics about people who suffer cardiac arrest. Experts also provided a quick primer on CPR, and how getting certified can save people’s lives.
Faith leaders also led the folks gathered in prayer to open and close the vigil, which truly became a celebration in the wake of the news that Damar had left the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for a hospital in Buffalo to continue his recovery.
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UPDATE, 1/9/23 - 3:13 p.m.: Damar has returned to Buffalo. Stay tuned for more updates from this afternoon’s vigil.
UPDATE, 1/9, 2:30 p.m.: If you can't make it, the vigil will be live-streamed on 1Hood's Facebook and YouTube pages. Please join any way you can!
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1Hood YouTube Link
UPDATE, 1/9, 9:30 a.m.: We are looking forward the prayer vigil for Damar Hamlin this afternoon at Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School. The vigil is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the football field. For people who are driving to the event, parking will be available in the parking lot at the far end of the football field, at Dale and Rosamond Streets. The gated parking lot (also known as the courtyard lot) at Dale Street and Russelwood Avenue will not be open.
UPDATE, 1/6: Sto-Rox Students and staff took part in a dress down “Football Jersey Day” on Friday. They wore football jerseys and special shirts in honor of Damar. Some of our students even created Sto-Rox football figures bearing Damar’s number, 3. All of this came as we learned Damar is fully breathing on his own and talking his family and teammates. We wish this McKees Rocks native the best on his recovery!
RELATED: Bills Statement: Damar Hamlin talking to his family and the team (Buffalo Bills)
RELATED: Sto-Rox Community Rallies Around Damar Hamlin (Pittsburgh City Paper)
Photos: Jersey Day for Damar
Image Courtesy: Ben Green, Buffalo Bills
UPDATE, 1/5: There will be a community vigil for Damar Hamlin on Monday, January 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School football field. We hope everyone can join us as we send love and prayers to Damar and his family.
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Original Post: Our thoughts are with Damar Hamlin, his family and friends, and his Bills teammates following Monday night’s incident in Cincinnati. We are wishing this member of the McKees Rocks community the very best in his recovery, and we are sending our love and showing support for Damar Hamlin any way we can during this trying time.
• On Friday, January 6, Sto-Rox Primary Center and Upper Elementary will have a Football Jersey Day in honor of Hamlin.
• Students are also encouraged to make cards and show other signs of support for Hamlin.
• At Tuesday night’s Sto-Rox Boys Varsity Basketball game, the team and community wore blue and red ribbons to honor Hamlin.
Related: Buffalo Bills Update On Damar Hamlin
Related: Donate to Damar’s Community Toy Drive