The late-night show host made sure to thank all of Billy’s doctors and nurses, their friends, family and even strangers for their help during this time
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 show host, 56, shared a photo of his son smiling in a hospital bed, revealing in his Instagram caption that Billy underwent another open-heart surgery over the weekend. Billy, whom Kimmel shares with wife Molly McNearney, was born with a congenital heart disease 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 nearly as much fear and came out with a new valve inside a happy, healthy kid,” began Kimmel, who went on to thank all of Billy’s doctors, nurses and other “hard-working” staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“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. We hope you never need CHLA, 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,” he continued.
Kimmel also thanked the “strangers who took time to pray for 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 thanked his wife for “being stronger than is reasonable for any Mom to be,” and his son Billy, whom he called “the toughest (and funniest) 7 year-old we know.”
“There are so many parents and children who aren’t fortunate 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 matters more than taking care of each other. With love and gratitude, Jimmy.”
Several of Kimmel’s friends commented on his post with well wishes and love for Billy.
“We love you Billy ,” wrote Carson Daly, while Andy Cohen added, “Love to Billy!!!”
“God bless your little Billy. He’s lucky he has parents like you and also the care of the good folks 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 as he celebrated his 7th birthday.
On April 21, Kimmel showed his admiration on Instagram for the doctors and staff at CHLA for the work they did on his son.
The adorable carousel showed 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.”
