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 almost as much fear and came out with a new valve inside a happy, healthy child,” 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 he and his wife, Molly, are optimistic that this weekend's procedure will be Billy's last surgery.
Due to Billy's condition, Kimmel has openly supported the Affordable Care Act, which provides access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare to millions of Americans.
“Walking through this hospital, meeting parents at their most vulnerable, children suffering, and miracle workers doing everything in their power to save them is a humbling experience,” Kimmel wrote in his message published 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 in large part to the Affordable Care Act (another tribute to the late Senator John McCain), generous donations from companies like Disney, which I support proud to work. and especially from generous people like you.”
“Thank you to those loving strangers who took the time to pray for our baby and send him positive energy, thank you to our family and friends for supporting us to an almost ridiculous degree, thank you to my wife Molly for being stronger than is reasonable for we. 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 LA and other local children's hospitals. “There are many parents and children who are not lucky enough to return home after five days. 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.”
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