Jimmy Kimmel’s Son’s Selfless Birthday Request Will Bring a Tear to Your Eye
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Jimmy Kimmel’s son Billy turned 7 yesterday and instead of begging for tons of the hottest toys (although he did want one spy kit because … c’mon … how cool!), he had the most selfless request. The newly minted 7-year-old asked friends to donate $7 to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Cedars Sinai.
“Because I’m seven to help kids in the hospital,” Billy told his dad. “His goal is ‘to raise $100 to help sick kids.'”
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Are you kidding me?! I’m not crying, you’re crying! Billy was born with a rare congenital heart defect in which there was a hole in the wall separating the two sides of his heart. At just 3 days old, he needed open heart surgery and has had multiple surgeries and procedures since then. “Billy turns 7 today and is doing great thanks to the doctors, nurses, therapists and staff,” at the hospital, Kimmel said in his first Instagram post yesterday.
People flooded the comments with well-wishes and said they donated.
“Done,” actor Kevin Pollak said.
“Donated in memory of my daughter,” one follower commented. “Grateful for all the pediatric medical professionals and child life workers who helped her during her hospitalizations.
Before the end of the day, Kimmel felt moved to post again because — as of right now — people have donated more than $42 thousand. If you, dear reader, feel interested in donating, you can do so HERE.
“This boy is seven years old because of you,” Kimmel said to everyone who donated. “[My wife] Molly and I are overwhelmed by your generous donations to @childrensla and kind messages…We wish you and your families good health and great friends.
(Again, you’re the one crying.)
Soon after Billy’s birth, the Jimmy Kimmel Live host gave a tearful monologue in which he shared Billy’s story with viewers and thanked all the professionals and loved ones who helped them during that time. “I hate to say it but even that son of a b*tch Matt Damon sent flowers,” Kimmel said, lightening the sorrowful mood (IYKYK.)
Kimmel — who also shares a 9-year-old daughter, Jane, with wife Molly McNeary and adult kids Katie and Kevin with ex-wife Gina Maddy — has been an open advocate for universal healthcare (especially for people with pre-existing conditions!) in the past.
“If your baby is going to die and doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make,” he said. “I think that whether you’re a Republican or Democrat or something else, that’s something we all agree on that, right? … Don’t let [politicians’] partisan squabbles divide us on something every decent person wants.”
“I saw a lot of families there,” he continued, getting incredibly choked up. “No parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child’s life.”
Seven years later, followers are still moved by his message.
“Jimmy, your plea for universal healthcare when he was born, saying you could afford all the medical care he’d need but 99% of parents could not, brought tears to my eyes,” one person said. “You are the real deal. Heart of gold and rapier wit!”
And he’s clearly raising a kid with a heart of gold. Happy Belated Birthday, Billy.
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