Report: Volkswagen’s Little Vader undergoes open-heart surgery today

June 13, 2012June 13, 2012 Omar Rana 2011 Volkswagen Star Wars ad, Max Page, Offbeat, Volkswagen Little Vader, Volkswagen Super Bowl Ad 2011, Volkswagen The Force TV Ad

Remember Volkswagen’s still popular Super Bowl 2011 ad, “The Force,” featuring a Little Darth Vader and the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat? Well, that Little Vader was played by 7-year-old Max Page. And earlier today, according to Page’s ad agency, Deutsch, it seems Page entered open-heart surgery for a congenital heart defect.

Page’s mother appeared on the Today show for an interview after the first Volkswagen ad aired and explained that Max was diagnosed with the condition as an infant and had to be given a pacemaker.

The open-heart procedure, that is still in the process as this post is being written, sets out to replace his pulmonary valve and repair a hole in his heart. Additionally, Page was also described to be an ambassador for the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles to help raise money to support other children with heart problems.

Prior to the beginning of the procedure, Max was said to be “scared but remaining admirably positive,” according to a note provided by his mother and passed along by Deutsch. You can check out that letter below, along with the Max Page’s performance as Little Vader.

It’s never a fun thing to hear and we here at egmCarTech wish Max Page a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

If you would like to contribute, a donation site was setup for Max Page and his cause, which can be found here.

Letter from Max’s mother, Jennifer:

We told Max and Els [Max’s brother] Sunday afternoon. Initially, Max was crying and repeating how scared how he was. We unpeeled the layers by asking what exactly he was afraid of and tackled each issue as he could verbalize it. Blood draws, spending the night in the hospital and hurting are the big three. He was also very sad that summer would be in rest in recovery instead of playing baseball, golf and traveling. Around bedtime he asked if I would stay up with him and talk. He wanted to make a “CAN DO” list. So we wrote out all the things he can do so he could focus on those. Then he said we definitely had to “Fun Up” the house. So we went and got Els out of bed and spent the next hour redesigning each room with a theme, special rules and secret codes. In the Library (Els Room) we have to read with flashlights. On Whisper Lane (the hallway) you have to whisper. Going up the stairs you have to sing “Take me out to the ball game”. The most favorite is the garage—Explode Zone—science experiments and art projects, the messier the better.
    Last night, I wanted to make sure he was doing as well as he seemed. He said, “Mom I don’t have a choice. I have to go through it. I don’t like it and it’s still scary—but I have to. So I think I might as well go through it with a good attitude.” So as we hop on Max’s coattails to go on this ride—we too, shall do it with a good attitude. Though we will still tremble with tears and have our overwhelming moments—we will focus on the “CAN DO” and enjoy our Fun Up House.
    Mighty Max wants me to include one more thing—one of the lines he uses when he speaks to groups.
    “Kids, if you use your FORCE and dream big, you can achieve anything. We may be small—but we’re mighty!”