Damar Hamlin's charity raises over $3 million in 12 hours after injury

CINCINNATI (TND) — The public is pouring donations into an online fundraiser started by Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin after he suffered a medical emergency on the field during Monday Night Football.

Hamlin's collapse, which reports have attributed to cardiac arrest, came during his second season playing in the National Football League. He previously played college football for the University of Pittsburgh.

READ MORE: "Bengals game postponed after Bills player needs life-saving medical assistance"

Before embarking on his NFL journey, Hamlin already began setting an example for his soon-to-be colleagues by launching a Christmas toy drive.

The toy drive was set up as an online GoFundMe fundraiser and,as of last month, had only generated a little under $3,000.

But following Hamlin’s collapse Monday night, donations for the toy drive skyrocketed, and the total raised jumped from several thousands of dollars to over $3.5 million by Tuesday morning.

READ MORE: "How you can donate to Damar Hamlin's charity"

Hamlin remains in critical condition at a Cincinnati hospital as of Tuesday morning.