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"Batkid" (Miles Scott) receiving the Key to the City of "Gotham" (San Francisco) from Mayor Ed Lee, while "Batman" (Eric Johnston) and Miles' parents and younger brother look on

Batkid is the superhero name of Miles Scott, an American child and cancer survivor. His wish was to be "Batkid", a sidekick of the comic book superhero Batman, the subject of books, radio, television, and films. Once the request went out, thousands of volunteers, city officials, businesses and supporters rallied to turn San Francisco, California into "Gotham City" – the fictional home city of Batman – on November 15, 2013, for one of the largest and most elaborate Make-A-Wish projects ever staged.[1]

Batkid took part in staged events including several crime scenarios, and received the key to the city from San Francisco mayor Ed Lee.[2] Elected officials, and representatives from law enforcement also took part, and the San Francisco Chronicle, the city's main newspaper, produced a "Gotham City Chronicle" in honor of the efforts with the headline "Batkid Saves City: Hooded hero nabs Riddler, rescues damsel in distress."[3]

Background

[edit]

Miles Scott is a cancer survivor from Tulelake, in northern California near the border of Oregon.[4] He was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia – a form of leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells characterized by excess lymphoblasts – at 18 months old.[2][5] In chemotherapy treatment for several years he is now in remission, and the celebration is in honor of his completing treatments,[2][6] the last one in June 2013.[7] His mother shared that the decision was made to wait until the treatments were complete so that Miles would be strong enough for the day, and also it gave him something to look forward to while undergoing treatments. "This wish has meant closure for our family and an end to over three years of putting toxic drugs in our son's body," she said on the Make-A-Wish site.[4] During his treatments Miles was "fascinated with superheroes." They were crimefighters and saviors. And they always won in the end."[8] When the San Francisco Make-A-Wish asked Miles what he wanted more than anything else, he replied, "I wish to be Batman."[8]

Batkid Day

[edit]
The Damsel in distress and Batman actors next to one of two black Lamborghinis which served as the Batmobile

Organized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation,[9] the San Francisco Greater Bay Area chapter,[10][11] the event was aided throughout by a social media plan created by a marketing agency.[12] The chapter sent out an email a month prior to the event asking for supporters, initially hoping for just several hundred people to be a part of the closing ceremony.[10][13] The request soon spread; by the night before the event over 12,000 volunteers pledged to be a part of making Batkid day happen.[2][13] Estimates are 10,000–12,000 people took part at various venues to cheer on Batkid.[2][8] Many dressed as superheroes in support.[10]

Miles was told he was just going to visit San Francisco to pick up a costume so he could dress like Batman;[citation needed] instead, he found himself to be the sidekick helper to an actor dressed as the superhero.[2] His younger brother was dressed as Batman's sidekick Robin.[8] He was watching a local TV news broadcast in the family's hotel room, when the broadcast was interrupted by a flash announcement from San Francisco police chief Greg Suhr appealing for help from Batkid.[14][15]

He left Union Square in a 'Batmobile' with police escort,[14] and soon was on the scene of a damsel in distress, who was tied up on the train tracks of the San Francisco historic cable cars in the Russian Hill neighborhood.[2][16] They also disabled a plastic replica of a bomb.[14] Crowds roared every step of the adventure with many of the onlookers holding signs supporting the mini-superhero, and chanting "Bat kid, bat kid".[14] Police Chief Suhr pre-recorded a number of messages to Batkid, serving as the emcee for the events.[9] Batman had a special video watch which would play each message from the police chief as needed.[17] Batman and Batkid were transported, along with Miles' family, in two black Lamborghinis adorned with Batman logos, and escorted by police.[2][15]

His next exploit was to aid in stopping The Riddler from robbing a bank vault in the financial district.[2] Following the capture of The Riddler, the crime-fighting duo refueled for lunch at Burger Bar in San Francisco's Union Square, as thousands filled the area to show support.[18]

The Penguin and a henchman actors from SF Batkid Wish

His final adventure was presented to him by a flash mob dance performance of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," which directed him to chase after another villain, The Penguin, who drove out of the Union Square car garage with the San Francisco Giants' mascot Lou Seal tied up in a convertible Bentley.

The Penguin (Mike Jutan) "kidnapping" Lou Seal for S.F.'s Batkid Wish experience

The Penguin's car took off along the streets of San Francisco, followed in pursuit by Batman and Batkid in their Bat-Lamborghinis, en route to AT&T Park.[2][15][19] In AT&T Park, The Penguin taunted visitors, attempting to get them to chant "Penguin! Penguin! Penguin!" in support of him, rather than the chant the crowd preferred, "Batkid! Batkid! Batkid!" Batkid and Batman arrived, climbing stairs at AT&T Park, and ultimately chasing The Penguin through the park. After a chase through the cable car, The Penguin exploded a flash pot after saying, "I hope you like traps!" Batman and Batkid then climbed through a series of obstacle courses, in hot pursuit of The Penguin. They slid down the park slides, finding The Penguin's "lair", and then chasing him down to the mini-baseball diamond in the stands. Batkid freed Lou Seal and Batman chased The Penguin, ultimately capturing him and handing him over to officers from the San Francisco Police Department.

At the end of the day Batkid was taken to San Francisco City Hall where the largest of the crowds gathered in the thousands for a rally. He was given the key to the city by San Francisco mayor Ed Lee.[2] He also received a video tweet from President Barack Obama at the White House as part of the effort.[2] The U.S. Justice department's U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag "unveiled" indictments for both the Riddler and the Penguin with conspiracy charges.[2][6] He was also presented with a Federal Bureau of Investigation "raid jacket", and a S.F. Police Department cap.[16]

Batkid: The Official Make-A-Wish Story is a ten-minute video written, produced and directed by John Crane Films located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Director John Crane and crew of 12 staged and captured all of the action using three primary cameras, Go Pros, and roving cameras. John Crane also served as Executive Producer for Batkid Begins which used his written segments and footage extensively and was purchased by Warner Brothers.

Cast

[edit]
  • Batman – Eric Johnston (inventor/software engineer)[20]
  • The Penguin – Mike Jutan (software engineer)[21][22]
  • Damsel in Distress – Sue Graham Johnston
  • The Riddler – Philip Watt (local actor)
  • Lou Seal – mascot of the San Francisco Giants
Lou Seal has served as mascot of the San Francisco Giants since 1996. He was at the third crime scene visited by Batkid, who saved him from The Penguin.

Coverage

[edit]

The events were live video blogged by the San Francisco Chronicle, the largest newspaper of the city. Television crews followed the events, including CNN.[18] Articles/photos/videos were posted on sites including Fox News, The Guardian, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, IGN, Yahoo! News, CBS News, Mashable, Wired, Hollywood Reporter, NPR, Huffington Post, The Telegraph, Gawker, USA Today, New York Times, Jezebel, Business Insider, ABC News, World News with Diane Sawyer, CityNews (Toronto, Canada), BBC, The Times of India, Time, CNET, TMZ, Good Morning America, and more.[4][15] Local ABC News had an embedded digital reporter and aided in the initial newsbreak of the day.[15] People around the world followed events on Twitter feeds as well as live video feeds, and social media.[4][6][23]

There were 406,960 tweets on the day of the event, using either the #batkid or #SFBatkid hashtag on Twitter.[24] Mashable also announced that Batkid was discussed in a total of 117 countries, and the news reached somewhere between 750 million-1.7 billion people worldwide, according to social-media agency Clever Girls.[24] More than 21,683 Instagram and Twitter photos were posted by Friday afternoon.[5] This single Buzzfeed article garnered over 2.5 million hits within 3 days of the event.[25] Public interest brought so much traffic to the Make-A-Wish Foundation's website that it crashed.[26]

The San Francisco Chronicle as the Gotham City Chronicle released a special edition paper in honor of the events with the headline "Batkid Saves City," and articles written by fictional Batman-related journalists Clark Kent (Superman's alter ego) and Lois Lane (his journalism partner and sometimes love interest).[14][27][28] The following Sunday the San Francisco Enquirer wrapped the regular Sunday edition with a page devoted to Batkid as the Gotham Enquirer, proclaiming Batkid "The City's Hero".[29]

Aftermath

[edit]

Some services were donated; the remaining $105,000 in costs to the City of San Francisco, which the Make-A-Wish Foundation had intended to raise the money to repay, was covered by a donation from philanthropists John and Marcia Goldman.[30] Donations to Make-A-Wish greatly increased in the weeks after national coverage of Batkid.[31]

On April 8, 2014, Miles Scott, dressed as Batkid, threw the ceremonial first pitch to Matt Cain at the Giants' 2014 home opener.[32]

The documentary film, Batkid Begins, chronicles the events of the day, and Miles Scott's life since that day occurred. Dana Nachman and Liza Meak produced the film, which premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival,[33] and was released theatrically on June 26, 2015.[34]

In January 2015, it was announced that Julia Roberts will produce and star in a feature adaptation of the documentary Batkid Begins titled, Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World.[35]

Four years after the events, in 2017, Scott was still in remission and healthy.[28] In November 2018, after turning 10 years old, he marked 5 years in remission, and was considered cancer-free.[36][37] Scott turned 15 in August 2023 and marked the 10-year anniversary of the event on November 15, 2023.[38]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Batkid

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Batkid is the superhero alias of Miles Scott, a five-year-old boy from , who was diagnosed with at age one and granted his Make-A-Wish dream to become Batman's sidekick on November 15, 2013, in , where the city was reimagined as complete with staged crimes for him to thwart. The elaborate event, organized by Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, involved Scott riding in a , rescuing the San Francisco Giants' mascot Lou Seal from , apprehending the Penguin at the Embarcadero, and receiving the key to the city from Mayor , with participation from local police, fire departments, and thousands of volunteers and onlookers dressed as superheroes. The Batkid day captured global attention, generating widespread media coverage including a special edition of the San Francisco Chronicle styled as the Gotham City Chronicle, a personalized message from President , and viral buzz that drew an estimated 25,000 spectators to the streets. The event's inspirational reach led to the 2015 Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World, directed by Dana Nachman and produced with support from Warner Bros., which chronicled the planning and execution while highlighting the emotional impact on Scott's family and community. As of 2023, marking the tenth anniversary, Scott—now a 15-year-old high school student living near the border with his parents Nick and Natalie, and brothers Clayton (who portrayed Robin during the wish) and Ben—is cancer-free after a decade in remission and continues annual oncologist visits, embodying the enduring hope generated by his wish. The Batkid story has since inspired Make-A-Wish initiatives worldwide, demonstrating the transformative power of community kindness in supporting children with critical illnesses.

Background

Diagnosis and Early Treatment

Miles Scott was born on August 15, 2008, in . He lived in , a small town in near the border, with his parents, Nick and Natalie Scott, and his younger brothers, Clayton and Ben. The family traveled to the for his medical treatment. At age 1 in 2009, Miles was diagnosed with , the most common type of . The diagnosis marked the beginning of a prolonged medical journey for the young child and his family. Treatment commenced immediately following the and involved intensive administered over several years at a Bay Area . By mid-2013, Miles achieved remission after completing his final rounds of therapy, though the process included ongoing medications and regular medical monitoring. The Scott family navigated substantial emotional strain and practical difficulties throughout Miles's treatment, including frequent hospital stays that disrupted daily life and required adjustments to work and family routines. This ongoing battle with the disease contributed to their decision to seek support from the to provide Miles with a moment of joy amid the fatigue of prolonged care.

The Make-A-Wish Request

In late 2012, as Miles Scott continued treatment for , his family contacted the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area chapter to explore granting a wish for the five-year-old boy. The organization's standard process involved conducting interviews with the child and family to ascertain interests and feasible wishes, ensuring the request aligned with the child's passions and the charity's capabilities. Miles, who had been a devoted Batman fan since age four and used the superhero's stories as a coping mechanism during his hospital stays, expressed his desire to become "Batkid," Batman's who fights crime alongside the Caped Crusader. This unconventional request, which envisioned a city-wide adventure rather than a typical personal experience, was approved by Make-A-Wish in early 2013, despite the logistical complexities of coordinating such a large-scale event. Initial coordination began with Make-A-Wish volunteer Jen Wilson pitching the Batkid concept to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, securing his enthusiastic approval by March 2013 and pledging city resources to support the endeavor. The event incurred costs of approximately $105,000 to the City of San Francisco, primarily for police and fire department overtime, which was later covered by philanthropists. Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area organized and funded additional aspects of the wish, with involvement from the San Francisco Police Department, Fire Department, and numerous volunteers, with no public announcements made until the day of the event to maintain the surprise for Miles.

Batkid Day

Event Planning and Organization

The planning for Batkid Day originated from a Make-A-Wish request by Miles Scott to become Batman's for a day. Organized by the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area chapter, preparations spanned several months in 2013, intensifying as the event date approached on November 15. Key meetings were held with the , Fire Department, and city officials, including , to coordinate logistics and script fictional "crimes" at prominent sites such as Union Square for a scenario and the for a ceremonial conclusion. Partnerships played a central role, with Warner Bros. and DC Comics providing licensing support for Batman-themed elements, including costumes and props to ensure authenticity. Thousands of volunteers participated, with dozens receiving training in costuming, stunts, and roles as villains such as and the Penguin to stage the scenarios safely. A custom , a modified black adorned with Batman decals, was sourced to transport Batkid and his adult Batman companion throughout the city. To preserve the surprise, the event details were kept confidential from Miles Scott and his family until November 15, 2013, with internal communications managed discreetly by the Make-A-Wish team. Challenges included synchronizing temporary traffic closures by police escorts to facilitate movement between sites without disrupting the city's flow, preparing contingencies for San Francisco's variable weather, and implementing strict child-safety protocols to protect the young participant during physically demanding activities.

Key Activities and Participants

Batkid Day was structured around a series of scripted "missions" designed to immerse Miles Scott in his fantasy, drawing on classic Batman lore while incorporating landmarks. The core activities began in the morning with Batkid, accompanied by Batman, responding to calls for aid from the . The first mission involved rescuing a tied to the iconic cable car tracks near Hyde and Green streets, where Batkid used a to leap to safety and disarm a mock bomb. This was followed by thwarting during an attempted bank robbery in Union Square. Later missions included pursuing and capturing the Penguin at AT&T Park (then ) after the villain kidnapped the San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal. The day culminated in the afternoon at City Hall, where Batkid received the key to the city in a ceremonial presentation. Central participants included five-year-old Miles Scott as Batkid, outfitted in a custom costume complete with a utility belt featuring a medical alert for his treatment. Eric Johnston, a software and inventor, portrayed Batman, serving as Batkid's mentor and partner throughout the missions in a black Lamborghini . Volunteers dressed as villains like and Penguin added theatrical flair, with the San Francisco Giants' mascot Lou Seal playing a key sidekick role in the AT&T Park sequence. City officials were integral, with Mayor Ed presenting the key to the city and proclaiming November 15, 2013, as Batkid Day; Police Chief Greg Suhr issuing the initial call for help; and District Attorney George Gascón participating in award presentations to honor Batkid's heroism. Support elements enhanced the event's emotional depth, with thousands of crowd extras mobilized through subtle social media hints from organizers, lining streets for scripted photo opportunities and synchronized cheers. These interactions were choreographed to build Batkid's confidence, including high-fives and signs proclaiming his heroism. The day concluded with an invitation to a Giants game, where Batkid ran the bases at AT&T Park as a celebratory capstone. Miles's family observed from afar to preserve the surprise, aligning with Make-A-Wish protocols for immersive experiences. The event's scale was made possible through collaborations between Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, city departments, and local organizations like the Giants.

Real-Time Execution

On November 15, 2013, the day began with a surprise for five-year-old Miles Scott at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in , where a was projected on the building and an actor portraying knocked on the door to deliver his Batkid costume and gear, transforming the survivor into his persona. Excited and ready, Miles emerged alongside Batman in a black customized as the , heading to the cable car tracks near Hyde and streets for his first mission. There, Batkid rescued a damsel tied to the tracks and disarmed a mock with the aid of a , to the cheers of onlookers. Next, the duo proceeded to Union Square, where over 6,000 cheering supporters gathered, many in costumes and holding signs, as Batkid helped thwart attempting a , leading to the villain's arrest by San Francisco police in front of the ecstatic crowd. Miles' face, partially hidden by his mask, showed focused determination and bursts of excitement as the cheers extended longer than anticipated, improvising a prolonged celebration that heightened the on-site energy. Following the Union Square mission, Batkid and Batman took a brief lunch break at a nearby burger spot, which was interrupted by a call about the Penguin's of the San Francisco Giants' mascot Lou Seal. Miles began showing signs of fatigue from the intense schedule and his ongoing recovery from treatments, but his enthusiasm persisted. In the afternoon, the duo drove the through city streets lined with well-wishers to AT&T Park (then ), where Miles heroically rescued Lou Seal from the Penguin's clutches in a staged chase around the field, eliciting roars from the assembled fans and amplifying the festive, communal vibe. These missions unfolded within the pre-planned framework of heroic escapades, ensuring a structured yet adaptable flow to the day's execution. The event culminated in a grand ceremony at City Hall, where Mayor presented Batkid with a key to the city, a San Francisco Giants hat, and an official declaration of November 15, 2013, as Batkid Day, surrounded by thousands chanting his name and waving banners in a wave of overwhelming support. As the approximately seven-hour adventure wound down in the evening, Miles shared quiet reflections with his family on the day's triumphs, his initial exhilaration giving way to exhaustion, though the overall experience left him beaming with joy. Throughout, a medical team remained on standby to monitor Miles' well-being, prioritizing his health amid the high-energy escapades.

Media Coverage and Impact

Initial Reporting

Local media outlets in played a pivotal role in amplifying Batkid Day on November 15, 2013, providing real-time updates and in-depth features that captured the event's whimsical yet heartfelt essence. The produced a special front-page edition entirely dedicated to Batkid, transforming the newspaper into a gazette to mark the start of Miles Scott's adventures, and its reporters contributed live-tweeting and on-the-ground reporting throughout the day. Local television stations and ABC7 broadcast live from key sites, including crime scenes and City Hall, featuring interviews with city officials such as Mayor and Police Chief Greg Suhr, who highlighted the community's overwhelming support. National coverage quickly escalated as the story spread beyond the Bay Area, with major networks airing segments by the evening to showcase the event's scale and emotional resonance. CNN published photo galleries and reports detailing Batkid's missions, while Good Morning America and The Today Show featured video recaps emphasizing the joy and inspiration derived from Miles' day as a superhero. The White House amplified the buzz with a tweet from President Barack Obama stating, "Way to go, Batkid," accompanied by a video message praising Miles' heroism. Reporting focused on the dramatic transformation of into , where approximately 12,000 participants lined the streets, prompting traffic closures and police escorts for Batkid's processions. Outlets juxtaposed these spectacle elements with human-interest narratives on Miles' bravery amid his treatment, portraying the event as a collective triumph of community spirit over adversity. Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area issued press releases to facilitate media access, coordinating coverage for journalists who documented the day's scripted missions and enthusiasm. By day's end, the event had generated hundreds of thousands of mentions under hashtags like #SFBatkid, underscoring its immediate national traction.

Viral Spread and Public Response

Following the Batkid Day event on November 15, 2013, the story rapidly amplified across digital platforms, with the #Batkid and #BatKidSF hashtags trending worldwide on and . Users shared thousands of photos and videos capturing Miles Scott's adventures as Batkid, contributing to over 550,000 tweets and an estimated 1.7 billion impressions within days of the event. This surge was fueled by strategic efforts from the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area chapter and partners like Clever Girls Collective, who coordinated posts to encourage real-time sharing during the day's activities. By late November, millions more engaged globally, turning the event into a symbol of communal joy and support for children with serious illnesses. The viral momentum extended internationally, with outlets like the and highlighting the event as an uplifting "feel-good" narrative that transcended borders. Fan-generated content proliferated, including artwork depicting Batkid alongside Batman and memes celebrating the heroism of a child battling . Celebrities amplified the reach; for instance, actor , then preparing to portray Batman, publicly praised Miles as "the best Batman ever" on , further boosting visibility. This global resonance underscored the event's emotional pull, linking personal triumph to broader awareness of challenges. Public engagement manifested in widespread calls for Batkid's story to inspire official media, including online petitions urging DC Comics to feature Miles in a or cameo, which drew substantial support from fans worldwide. The outpouring tied directly to heightened consciousness of , with the narrative evoking empathy and reinforcing the value of wishes in fostering hope for affected families. In response to this fervor, the produced a special "Gotham City Chronicle" edition chronicling Batkid's exploits in a comic-strip style. The event's digital footprint yielded measurable outcomes, including a 26% spike in Make-A-Wish donations during the 2013 holiday season, reflecting sustained public generosity in the Bay Area and beyond. Additionally, the Greater Bay Area chapter reported a 45% increase in pending wish requests in the following year, attributing it to the viral exposure. Analyses of the phenomenon, such as those examining Make-A-Wish's broader impact, have cited Batkid as a in how positive, shareable stories can drive charitable engagement and counterbalance negative news cycles.

Aftermath and Legacy

Miles Scott's Recovery

Following Batkid Day on November 15, 2013, Miles Scott's health trajectory focused on post-treatment monitoring and confirmation of sustained remission from . He had completed his final round of in June 2013 at UCSF Benioff in , prior to the event, which served as a celebratory milestone. By April 2014, doctors had officially pronounced him in remission, with ongoing checkups showing no evidence of disease recurrence through 2015. The Scott family resided on their farm in Siskiyou County, , near the border, where Miles adjusted to everyday life after years of medical interventions. He attended elementary school and began participating in age-appropriate activities, including playing , which helped foster a sense of normalcy alongside farm chores like caring for animals. This period marked a shift toward routine family life, with Miles enjoying time with his parents, Nick and Natalie, and siblings. Emotionally, the Batkid experience provided Miles with a lasting sense of , which he later reflected on as a positive force during his treatment and recovery. The family managed the challenges of sudden fame through private living on their rural property, allowing Miles to process the event's impact in a low-key environment without formal details publicly documented at the time. By mid-2015, as featured in Batkid Begins, Miles expressed and in returning to ordinary childhood pursuits, viewing the wish fulfillment as a highlight that strengthened his resilience.

Long-Term Cultural Influence

The Batkid event significantly boosted philanthropy within the , resulting in a marked increase in referrals that allowed more children with critical illnesses to have their wishes granted. In the years following November 15, 2013, the foundation reported sustained growth in wish fulfillment, attributing part of this expansion to the heightened visibility and public engagement sparked by the city-wide spectacle. Donations to also surged in the immediate aftermath and remained elevated, providing essential funding for ongoing operations and inspiring similar community-driven collaborations for elaborate wishes, such as superhero-themed adventures that engage local institutions and volunteers. In media and popular culture, the story of Batkid has endured as a symbol of collective kindness and viral positivity. The 2015 documentary Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World, directed by Dana Nachman, chronicles the planning and execution of the event, emphasizing its unexpected global reach and emotional resonance; it premiered at the Film Festival and was later distributed by , reaching millions and reinforcing narratives of hope in contemporary . The event has been cited in discussions of social media's role in fostering positive viral phenomena, appearing in analyses of how shared human experiences can drive cultural moments of unity. Batkid's story contributed to broader societal awareness of pediatric cancer, portraying affected children as resilient heroes rather than victims and helping to normalize conversations about serious illnesses. By transforming a personal wish into a public celebration, the event amplified the mission of organizations like Make-A-Wish, encouraging greater empathy and support for families facing diagnoses. This shift in perception has been linked to improved public understanding of the challenges involved, fostering long-term advocacy for research and care. Institutionally, the event prompted lasting changes in , where Mayor officially declared "Batkid Day forever" during the original celebration, establishing it as a perpetual commemoration of community solidarity. Annual anniversary events have since honored the occasion, often involving Make-A-Wish activities to highlight ongoing wish-granting efforts. DC Comics, which provided official characters, costumes, and actors like Batman for the 2013 event, has maintained connections with charitable causes through similar superhero-themed partnerships, extending the cultural footprint of Batkid into broader .

Anniversaries and Updates

In 2018, marking the five-year anniversary of the Batkid event, Miles Scott, then 10 years old, was reported to be cancer-free and thriving in a typical childhood routine, including attending in . His mother, Natalie Scott, shared in interviews that Miles was "doing great," expressing profound gratitude for the Make-A-Wish Foundation's role in his recovery and the overwhelming community support that continued to inspire their family. A Make-A-Wish feature highlighted his return to normal activities, such as playing and helping on the family farm, underscoring the event's lasting positive impact on his life. The 10-year anniversary in 2023 brought renewed attention through profiles in NPR and People magazine, where Miles, now 15, reflected on his cancer-free status for over a decade while living a normal teenage life with his family in Tulelake, California, a small town near the Oregon border. He attends high school, plays baseball as a catcher—earning cheers of "Batkid!" from teammates—and participates in other sports, while assisting on the family farm and expressing interest in welding. In these profiles, Miles described the Batkid day as a source of hope for many beyond himself, noting its role in fostering community joy and his own sense of normalcy despite the past challenges. As of 2024 and 2025, no new health issues have been reported for Miles, who continues annual oncologist visits and remains in remission. He makes occasional public appearances tied to Make-A-Wish events, often alongside his mother, who volunteers as a wish granter for the organization, reflecting on the Batkid experience as a pivotal moment that built his resilience. Looking ahead, Miles has shared aspirations in fields like welding and outdoor work, such as guiding in Alaska, while maintaining involvement in sports; the Batkid community provides ongoing support through sustained awareness and foundation initiatives.

References

  1. https://wish.org/batkid
  2. https://www.npr.org/2023/11/15/1213035528/10-years-ago-batkid-was-battling-bad-guys-and-cancer-now-hes-15-and-healthy
  3. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-24964100
  4. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/batkid-begins-watch-the-heartwarming-trailer/
  5. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/make-a-wish-celebrates-the-10-year-anniversary-of-batkid-wish-301988695.html
  6. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-batkid-wows-san-francisco-20131115-story.html
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3884528/
  8. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/batkid-five-years-later-miles-scott-cancer-free-make-wish-n936836
  9. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/batkid-begins-wish-heard-around-768586/
  10. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/philanthropists-rescue-s-f-from-105-000-in-5156884.php
  11. https://wish.org/greaterbay/batkid-returns
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw3aWPxtpfE
  13. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/15/batkid-san-francisco-charity-make-wish
  14. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/nov/16/batkid-thwarts-evil-while-charming-san-francisco/
  15. https://abcnews.go.com/US/batkids-make-transformed-san-francisco-gotham/story?id=20899254
  16. https://www.wbur.org/news/2013/11/15/batkid-crime-fighting-makeawish-san-francisco
  17. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/11/15/245480296/holy-empathy-batkid-lives-superhero-dream-in-san-francisco
  18. https://www.kqed.org/pop/9745/follow-batkid-as-he-saves-gotham-san-francisco
  19. https://www.mlb.com/news/sfbatkid-saves-lou-seal/c-63956696
  20. https://www.mlb.com/cut4/batkid-saves-lou-seal-and-san-francisco-from-the-penguin/c-63957512
  21. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/san-francisco-transforms-into-gotham-city-for-boys-batman-wish/
  22. https://www.cnet.com/pictures/batkid-stops-crime-steals-hearts-in-sf-pictures/
  23. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/riddler-and-penguin-charged-conspiracy-and-kidnapping-duo-faces-long-prison-terms
  24. https://abcnews.go.com/US/batkid-moments-give-warm-fuzzies/story?id=20905838
  25. https://www.wired.com/2015/06/batkid-begins/
  26. https://nypost.com/2015/06/24/joyous-new-documentary-tells-the-story-of-batkid/
  27. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Batkid-Thousands-cheer-on-pint-size-superhero-4985651.php
  28. https://www.ktvu.com/news/10-year-anniversary-batkid-saves-city-of-san-francisco-from-villains
  29. https://abc7news.com/post/from-the-archives-batkid-saves-sf-in-nov-2013/2653918/
  30. https://www.cnn.com/2013/11/16/us/gallery/batkid
  31. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/batkids-make-transformed-san-francisco-gotham-20899254
  32. https://www.today.com/parents/holy-batkid-5-year-old-cancer-patients-wish-comes-true-2d11603304
  33. https://www.today.com/parents/obama-gives-batkid-shout-out-twitter-2d11603370
  34. https://www.forbes.com/sites/anneeaston/2023/12/01/stop-scrolling-watch-batkid-begins-the-wish-heard-around-the-world/
  35. https://digiday.com/marketing/social-media-batkid/
  36. https://www.fastcompany.com/3022058/inside-the-social-media-strategy-that-made-batkid-go-viral/
  37. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/memes/batkid/photos
  38. https://www.thewrap.com/ben-affleck-thinks-batkid-best-batman-ever/
  39. https://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-au/202/275/254/give-miles-scott-batkid-a-batman-vs-superman-cameo/
  40. https://sfchronicle.myshopify.com/products/batkid-gotham-city-chronicle
  41. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/after-batkid-childrens-wishes-become-more-complex/
  42. https://abc7ny.com/post/batkid-reunites-with-penguin-one-year-after-he-saved-city/397067/
  43. https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/1/2/18143964/make-a-wish-foundation-batkid-study
  44. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/126145/miles-batkid-scott-becomes-pilot-day
  45. https://people.com/teen-became-batkid-10-years-ago-still-cancer-free-8402291
  46. https://www.motionpictures.org/2015/06/dana-nachman-on-the-phenomenon-of-her-doc-batkid-begins/
  47. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Batkid-cancer-free-five-years-since-saving-13393219.php
  48. https://swampflix.com/2016/04/11/batkid-begins-2015/
  49. https://abc7news.com/post/batkid-miles-scott-today-10th-anniversary-san-francisco-gotham/14065285/
  50. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/15/batkid-san-francisco/3588173/
  51. https://comicsalliance.com/make-a-wish-child-batman-san-francisco-gotham-city/
  52. https://www.nydailynews.com/2018/11/15/san-franciscos-batkid-is-now-10-years-old-and-cancer-free/
  53. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2018/11/15/batkid-won-our-hearts-now-hes-got-something-much-better-hes-cancer-free/
  54. https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/where-is-batkid-miles-scott-now-teen-cancer-free-10-years-later/
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