Jimmy Kimmel is reflecting on son William “Billy” John’s previous open-heart surgeries with a grateful heart as he celebrates his 7th birthday.
On Monday, April 21, the late-night show host showed his admiration on Instagram for the doctors and staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the work they did on Billy who was born with a congenital heart disease in 2017.
“Billy turns 7 today and is doing great thanks to the doctors, nurses, therapists and staff at @ChildrensLA & @CedarsSinai,” Kimmel wrote.
“Billy is asking friends ‘to give $7 because I’m seven to help kids in the hospital.’ (he also wants a spy kit) His goal is ‘to raise $100 to help sick kids.’ If you’d like to donate – thank you and link in bio.”
The adorable carousel shows Billy appearing to kick the camera with a soft smile in the first photo and standing in a Lakers jersey with a basketball tucked under his arm in the second.
In another post shared on the same day, Kimmel posted a close-up shot 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 great friends.”
Back in 2017, Kimmel revealed to his audience in an opening monologue that the son he shares with wife Molly McNearney had to undergo his first of three rounds of open-heart surgery three days after he was born.
“He opened the valve, and the operation was a success,” Kimmel shared with the audience when explaining the surgery performed by Dr. Vaughn Starnes, who Kimmel said is “by all accounts, a genius.”
As of Tuesday, April 22, Billy’s Birthday Wish has raised over $44,000 in donations for Children’s Hospital L.A.