Jimmy Kimmel is feeling grateful after his 7-year-old son William “Billy” John successfully underwent his third open-heart surgery.
On Monday, May 27, the late-night host, 56, shared a photo of his son smiling in a hospital bed, revealing in his Instagram caption that Billy had undergone another open-heart surgery over the weekend. Billy, who Kimmel shares with wife Molly McNearney, was born with a congenital heart condition in 2017.
“This weekend, our boy Billy had his third (of three, we hope) open heart surgery. We went into this experience with a lot of optimism and almost as much fear and came out with a new valve in a happy, healthy child,” he began Kimmel, who then thanked all of Billy’s doctors, nurses and other “hardworking” staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“Walking through this hospital, meeting parents at their most vulnerable, children in pain and miracle workers doing everything in their power to save them is a humbling experience. We hope you never need CHLA, 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 salute to the late Senator John McCain), generous donations from companies like Disney, which I’m proud to work for, and especially generous people like you,” he continued.
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Jimmy Kimmel thanks hospital staff as son Billy celebrates his 7th birthday: ‘This boy is 7 because of you’
Kimmel also thanked the “strangers who took the time to pray and send positive energy to our baby,” as well as their friends and family for “rallying around us to an almost ridiculous extent.”
The comedian then went on to thank his wife for being “stronger than is reasonable for any mom,” and his son Billy, whom he called “the toughest (and funniest) 7-year-old we know.”
“There are so many parents and children who are not lucky enough to go home after five days,” he continued. “Please share your love, hearts and prayers with them and if it moves you, support @ChildrensLA (link in bio) or a great children’s hospital near you (@CMNHospitals). Nothing is more important than taking care of each other. Love and thanks, Jimmy.”
Several of Kimmel’s friends commented on his post with well wishes and love for Billy.
“We love you Billy ❤️,” Carson Daly wrote, while Andy Cohen added, “Love to Billy!!!❤️.”
“God bless your little Billy. He is lucky to have parents like you and also the care of the good people at CHLA,” added John Stamos.
Jenna Dewan wrote: “So much love to you Jimmy, Molly and Billy!! ❤️🙌👏😍.”
Last month, Kimmel reflected on Billy’s previous open-heart surgeries while celebrating his 7th birthday.
On April 21, Kimmel took to Instagram to show his admiration for the doctors and staff at CHLA for the work they did on his son.
“Billy turns 7 today and is doing great thanks to the doctors, nurses, therapists & staff at @ChildrensLA & @CedarsSinai,” Kimmel wrote. “Billy begs friends ‘to give $7 because I’m seven years old to help the kids in the hospital.’ (he also wants spy gear) His goal is to ‘raise $100 to help sick children.’ If you want to donate – thanks and link in bio.”
The adorable carousel showed Billy appearing to shoot the camera with a slight smile in the first photo and standing in a Lakers jersey with a basketball under his arm in the second.
In another post shared the same day, Kimmel posted a close-up picture of Billy, writing: “This boy is seven years old because of you. Molly and I are overwhelmed by your generous donations to @childrensla and kind messages. Thank you for all the love. We wish you and your families good health and good friends.”
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Source: HIS Education