I wish to be Batkid
Miles, wish granted in 2013
leukemia
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 with volunteer EJ in front of thousands of cheering fans outside of the San Francisco City Hall on his wish day, November 13, 2013.
Miles as Batkid with volunteer EJ and the former Mayor of the City of San Francisco, Ed Lee, at the San Francisco City Hall on his wish day, November 13, 2013.
Miles with volunteer EJ, the San Francisco Police Department, and the former Mayor of the City of San Francisco, Ed Lee, at the San Francisco City Hall, on his wish day, November 13, 2013.
A group of fans cheering Batkid on during Miles' wish day, on his wish day, November 13, 2013.
Miles as Batkid and volunteer EJ after riding through San Francisco in the Batmobile, on Miles' wish day, November 13, 2013.
A crowd of Batkid supporters outside of the San Francisco City Hall on Miles' wish day, on his wish day, November 13, 2013.
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.
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."
Miles with his parents, Nick and Natalie, and his younger brothers, Clayton and Ben, on their farm in October of 2023.
Miles holding his athletic certificate after receiving the 2023 season award on his baseball team.
Miles with his father, Nick, after Miles's football game in 2023.
Miles dressed as the Joker from The Dark Knight for Halloween in 2023.
Miles's dad, Nick (left), Miles (front center), wish granter Paula (back center), with Miles' mom, Natalie (right), holding Miles' younger brother, Clayton, at Black Bear Diner after Miles' wish.
You don't need super powers to be a hero for wish kids! Here are some ways you can help: