The Force is strong with Max Page.

Its been one year since the actor, 8, best known for playing a pint-sized Darth Vader in a Volkswagen Super Bowl commercial that went viral, underwent life-saving open-heart surgery.

Hes doing remarkably well, his mom Jennifer Page tells PEOPLE.

Since then, hes used his powers for good throughout the galaxy. Hes a full-throttle kid who loves doing charity work, says Page, 40, making appearances in hospitals nationwide, raising funds and cheering up other kids.

The San Clemente, Calif.-based actor, whos endured eight surgeries in his lifetime at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, serves as a junior ambassador for the hospital, raising more than $50,000 for those unable to afford health care.

I love being able to help kids who are less fortunate, says Max, whos also been a recurring character on The Young and Restless for the past four years and has starred in a number of other commercials. Its all about giving back.

No one is more appreciative than the officials at Childrens Hospital.

In terms of generosity, Maxs heart seems to have tripled in size since his surgery, says DeAnn Marshall, senior vice president of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Max and his family have also brought in hundreds of new donors.
Max, who was born with a congenital heart defect and had a pacemaker implanted when he was just three months old, refuses to let his condition slow him down.

On June 19, he and his family will be in Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress on Family Advocacy Day to raise awareness for childrens hospitals nationwide.

And if he gets recognized as little Darth Vader while hes there, thats just fine with him.

Ive never gotten tired of it, he says. It was fun filming it. Its never going to get old to me.