( CNN ) -- One of the most memorable Super Bowl ads in recent years starred a pint-size Darth Vader attempting to use the force all over his house , finally succeeding , or so he thought , in starting his dad 's car . These days the boy behind the Vader mask is strictly using his force for good . Max Page , the 8-year-old actor who stole audience 's hearts in the 2011 Volkswagen ad , was born with a rare congenital heart defect and has undergone eight surgeries , most recently last summer . But his medical problems have n't dampened his spirit . As head of the Junior Ambassadors Program for Children 's Hospital Los Angeles , Max has dedicated much of his young life to raising awareness and funds for other kids in need . Or as he says , `` It 's the first time Darth Vader 's been good , so that might be a little change . '' Max had his first surgery at 3 months old after being diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot . The congenital heart defect , which changes the normal flow of blood through the heart , occurs in about five out of every 10,000 babies , according to the National Institute of Health . Max 's charitable efforts began almost as soon as his medical troubles did . By the time of his first birthday , he had already endured four surgeries . His parents , Jennifer and Buck Page , said they felt grateful to the families who came before them and others who donated to keep the Los Angeles hospital and neonatal intensive care unit open . `` We feel a tremendous responsibility to make sure the doors stay open for us and families that follow us and to do our part , '' Jennifer Page says . Every year , Max and his younger brother Els , 7 , pick a charity and ask for donations in place of presents for either of them . `` We 've raised over $ 50,000 over the years for charity causes of all kinds . Now everyone looks forward to what the boys are going to do , '' Jennifer Page says . Max 's fame from the Super Bowl ad has widened the family 's reach and strengthened his impact . `` Hopefully , I can just use my force for even better good , and I hope that it works , '' he says . The vivacious youngster regularly speaks and campaigns for Children 's Hospital Los Angeles as well as smaller organizations such as Saving Tiny Hearts in Chicago . Max also visits children in the hospital and has become something of a role model . He takes his responsibility seriously since he also looks up to someone -- snowboarder Shaun White . He has yet to meet the Olympic gold medalist , but he says he will have a lot of questions when he does . His mom watched White compete in the Olympics the same year Max was first diagnosed , and after hearing from doctors about the limitations her son would face , she says she found hope in White , who has the same heart defect . `` I remember watching , and the significance for me was that Max could have energy . We could actually focus on hope that Max could have energy , and it was actually possible , '' she says . She adds , `` I looked at what his ( White 's ) parents must have had to do to let him live so free . Because I just want to wrap Max up in bubble wrap and not let anything touch him . And they did n't . Shaun White 's parents said go for it '' It 's been seven months since Max 's last surgery -- an open heart pulmonary valve replacement -- and he has been cleared for all activities by his doctors . He 's back campaigning for the hospital , and he 's learned to snowboard and also plays Little League Baseball . Soon he 'll even return to his role on the CBS soap `` The Young and the Restless . '' In his own words , `` I 'm back to being me . '' His mother says that she and his father try to lead by example but attributes much of the boy 's positive attitude to Max himself . `` There 's just this innateness in him that says I 'm going to fight , I 'm going to conquer it , I 'm going to win . From the very beginning , he 's had to fight . From his very first breath , he 's had to fight hard for every breath , and ... I think that is just part of his nature . '' While he was the breakout star of a previous Super Bowl , this year Max will be watching the game at home with his family . He says he 's a bit overwhelmed with his two favorite teams competing against each other . `` I 'll win and I 'll lose . So I 'm not going to root for anyone , '' Max says . `` I 'm just going to hope it 's a good match . ''
Max Page of Super Bowl ad fame has a congenital heart disease . The actor has had eight surgeries to date . The 8-year-old uses his voice to raise money for Children 's Hospital Los Angeles . `` It 's the first time Darth Vader 's been good , '' he says .