I wish to be Batkid

Miles, wish granted in 2013

leukemia

Miles on wish day and Miles current day

Batkid Returns

Ten years ago, the world watched in awe as a then-5-year-old Miles Scott transformed into Batkid and saved the city of San Francisco, thanks to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and the support and participation of many local partners and friends.

On November 15, 2013, with the help of the late San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments, the San Francisco Giants, and countless others, San Francisco transformed into Gotham for the day and thousands of people crowded the streets to cheer Miles on as he battled villains, thwarted crime, freed San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal, and earned a key to the city. The San Francisco Chronicle produced a special edition of the newspaper that day, with a full front-page takeover dedicated to the wish and then-President Obama sent his very first Vine video message to Batkid with words of encouragement. The wish also inspired a full-length New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. documentary, Batkid Begins, produced by Dana Nachman.

“I feel like it brought hope to more than just a couple people. They came out and were happy. It wasn’t just about me on that day. It was about getting all together and just having fun.”

Miles "Batkid"

“Miles’ wish was the ending of a chapter in our family. So that we could move on and continue.” 
Natalie
Miles' mom

Batkid: 10 years later

Today, at age 16, Miles remains cancer free and enjoys teen life in his small town near the Oregon border.

After fighting his own heroic battle with leukemia since he was a year old, Miles visits his oncologist once a year, and has been in remission from leukemia for the past 10 years. Miles lives with his parents, Nick and Natalie Scott; his younger brother Clayton (who was dressed as Robin on the day of his wish); and his youngest brother, Ben, who was born after his wish.

When asked what he might want to say to his fans out there, Miles said: “I’m doing amazing. I would love to just say like ‘yeah, I’m fine.’” Reflecting on his battle with cancer and his wish experience, he said: “I feel normal, but every time I think about it, it’s like, ‘Wow, that actually happened.’

Having once suited up to save the city, Miles now suits up to play football at his high school, where he enjoys the comradery of his teammates and coaches. For his wish, he was driven around in the Batmobile, and he now drives a tractor when helping out on the family farm. Miles no longer fits in the Batkid costume, but his brother Ben wore it last Halloween.

Batkid with Batman at City Hall

Ten years ago, the world watched in awe as a then-5-year-old Miles Scott transformed into Batkid and saved the city of San Francisco, thanks to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and the support and participation of many local partners and friends. In honor of this milestone, watch this video update on how Miles and his family are doing today. 

Video credits: Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, The Scott family, Erik "EJ" Johnston Paula Lemaire, Whatever Digital, Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Cen Koci, The San Francisco Giants, Dana Nachman

In the past few years, Natalie has become a volunteer wish granter for Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and helps grant wishes for children who need them in Siskiyou County. “I remember being inpatient with Miles and just—we would do laps and laps in the hallway, and we’d push him in this little car with his IV pole," she says. "I remember seeing all the other kids that maybe were in worse shape than him. I just couldn’t imagine. It seemed so painful for them and their families. I just wanted to be able to help other kids and their families have some sort of positive ending to their story or, you know, to start their new beginning.”

Natalie has even teamed up to help grant wishes a few times with Paula Lemaire, who was a volunteer wish granter on Miles' wish in 2013. "I was excited when I saw that Natalie was signing on to be a wish granter," Paula says. "It was like seeing an old friend; we hadn’t seen each other in a few years. And so, we’ve done a couple wishes together. It was nice to see her and to just know that Miles is doing good."

You don't need super powers to be a hero for wish kids! Here are some ways you can help:

Make a donation and bring hope and joy to wish kids like Miles.

Every wish experience begins with a referral.

Join Natalie and Paula in our community of wish granting volunteers.