Little Darth Vader

While you may recognize him as the star of 2011’s most popular Super Bowl commercial, 7 year-old Max Page is shining even brighter today after successfully undergoing open heart surgery.

PLUS: Screening Your Child for Congenital Heart Disease

Page, known for his role as ‘Little Darth Vader’ in the wildly popular Volkswagen commercial, was born with a congenital heart defect and has undergone eight surgeries in just seven years, reports The TODAY Show. Before the surgery, this little superhero enthusiastically comprised a list of post-surgery activities he would like to complete with a healthier and stronger heart, on an inspiring “Can Do” list, including: making a milkshake everyday, gazing at the stars, and playing Wii.

Parents of the ‘Little Darth Vader’ made a statement saying that Max had more courage and confidence the morning of his surgery than his parents saying, “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," reports ABC. His positive attitude continued in the critical 24 hours after surgery, where he was said to have been excited and hopeful to be able to go home soon.

PLUS: How to Ease Your Child’s Surgery Fears

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When Max isn’t busy stealing the hearts of every nurse and doctor he encounters at the hospital, he is hard at work on the set of “The Young and the Restless”, and empowering other children with heart disease as a Children’s Hospital ambassador. When asked what he would like to say to other children facing scary situations, Page said, "If you use your force and dream big, you can achieve anything. We may be small but we are mighty."

What do you think of Page’s inspiring outlook on life? Do you know a little superhero who has overcome something big?