Every year thousands of children in critical condition are seen at Children’s Hospital Los Angelas (CHILA) including Billy Kimmel (the son of late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel) who suffered from a rare congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia. In 2017 Billy received open heart surgery as an infant, saving his life.
On October 20, 2018, during their “From Paris With Love” gala event, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles honored Jimmy Kimmel with their “Courage to Care Award” for his dedication and passion to help support the hospital.
After his son’s successful surgery, Kimmel made an impassioned plea for the reauthorization of CHIP (Children’s Health Insurence Program). Walt Disney Company chairman and CEO Bob Iger presented the award to Kimmel saying “It was a bold use of his powerful program, and its effectiveness was driven by the fact that it was so personal. He spoke from his heart and from Billy’s. He waded into a controversial subject without hesitation, because he knew from his own experience that he was right.”
During his acceptance speech, Kimmel said of the hospital: “So many children, from so many financial backgrounds, are cared for so beautifully and with so much compassion. We can never repay them, but we’re going to try.”
The Gala was sponsored in part by Walt Disney Company who has shared a special relationship with CHILA for over 35 years.
Through Disney’s VoluntEARS programs members if the Walt Disney Company has spent many hours comforting and entertaining patients and their families. Disney’s TriTeam has also raised millions of dollars for CHILA’s pediatric cancer research program.
Through Disneys Team of Heros, CHILA Is working with Disney to improve patient care experiences around the world. Disney has announced a 5-year program to donate more than $100 million in cash, resources and time to children hospitals worldwide, including CHILA.
