Jimmy Kimmel has revealed that his seven-year-old son, Billy, underwent his third open heart surgery over Memorial Day weekend.
“We went into this experience with a lot of optimism and nearly as much fear and came out with a new valve inside a happy, healthy kid,” the late-night host shared in an Instagram post on Monday.
Billy was born with a rare congenital heart defect and underwent his first open heart surgery at just three days old. He then had his second surgery at seven months. Kimmel said that he and his wife, Molly, are optimistic that this weekend’s procedure will be Billy’s final surgery.
Because of Billy’s condition, Kimmel has been an outspoken supporter of the Affordable Care Act, which provides access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare to millions of Americans.
“Walking around this hospital, meeting parents at their most vulnerable, children in pain and the miracle workers who do everything in their considerable power to save them is a humbling experience,” Kimmel wrote in his message posted on Monday. “We hope you never need [Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles], but if you do – know that they help families regardless of their ability to pay, thanks largely to the Affordable Care Act (another salute to the late Senator John McCain), generous donations from companies like Disney, which I am proud to work for and especially from generous people like you.”
“Thanks to those loving strangers who took time to pray for and send positive energy to our baby, thanks to our family and friends for rallying around us to an almost-ridiculous extent, thank you to my wife Molly for being stronger than is reasonable for any Mom to be and Billy, you are the toughest (and funniest) 7 year-old we know,” Kimmel continued.
Kimmel concluded his comments by encouraging people to support Children’s Hospital L.A. and other local children’s hospitals. “There are so many parents and children who aren’t fortunate enough to go home after five days. Please share your love, hearts and prayers with them and if it moves you, support @ChildrensLA or a great children’s hospital near you (@CMNHospitals). Nothing matters more than taking care of each other. With love and gratitude, Jimmy.”
Earlier this month, Kimmel surprised Billy and his sister, Jane, on their way to school by picking up Jon Stewart. Replay the funny sketch from Jimmy Kimmel Live! below.
