San Francisco celebrates newest hero: Batkid
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KGO) -- Thousands of people helped turn San Francisco into Gotham City Friday to help make a 5-year-old boy's Make-A-Wish dream come true.
Miles Scott loves superheroes, none more so than Batman. Much like Batman battles villains, Miles has been fighting his own battle with leukemia since he was just a year old. Miles is now in remission and he got his chance to be Batkid for the day with the help of Make-A-Wish of the Greater Bay Area, the city of San Francisco and thousands of well-wishers.
"This wish has meant closure for our family and an end to over three years of putting toxic drugs in our son's body" Miles' mom Natalie said.
Miles' day started with ABC7 News anchor Ama Daetz alerting BatKid that there was trouble in Gotham City. He took off in a Lamborghini outfitted as the Batmobile to go save a damsel in distress that had been tied up on the cable car tracks, catch the Riddler red-handed in a bank vault, and chase the Penguin through AT&T Park to rescue San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal. Miles then received the key to the city and other special commendations from San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Police Chief Greg Suhr and other city officials.
Ama sat down with Miles and his family ahead of the big day to talk about their journey and what this outpouring of support has meant to them.
"The scale this big is just overwhelming for us," Miles' dad Nick said. "It's nothing we ever dreamed of."
The San Francisco Chronicle printed a special "Gotham City Chronicle" edition and handed out 1,000 copies to well-wishers at City Hall. The Batkid edition did so well that Friday afternoon the paper annouced they would issue an updated reprint on Saturday.
And it was not just the city of San Francisco that was celebrating Miles's day as Batkid. SFBatKid was trending on Twitter in cities all over the country and President Obama even got in on the action, posting a photo of Miles on Twitter and thanking him in a video posted on Vine.
More Ways You Can Help Bay Area Children
Make-A-Wish of the Greater Bay Area
Make-A-Wish of the Greater Bay Area serves Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Marin, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Siskiyou, Solano and Sonoma. Since 1984, they have granted over 6,000 wishes. Find out more about donating and volunteering with their organization on their website.
Taylor Family Foundation
The Taylor Family Foundation's works to enhance the quality of life for children living with life-threatening and chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities and youth at-risk. Find out more about donating and volunteering with their organization on their website.
Foster A Dream
Foster A Dream provides programs and resources for Bay Area foster children. Find out more about donating and volunteering with their organization on their website.
East Oakland Youth Development Center
The East Oakland Youth Development Center works with children and young adults to develop social and leadership skills to better prepare them for employment, higher education, and leadership opportunities. Find out more about donating and volunteering with their organization on their website.
San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center
The San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center provides supportive services to children and families; education for children, caregivers and service providers; and advocacy for systems improvement and coordination. Find out more about donating and volunteering with their organization on their website.
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities offers information, education, and parent-to-parent support to families of children with disabilities or special health care needs. Find out more about donating and volunteering with their organization on their website.
BAYCAT
BAYCAT is a non-profit community media producer that educates, empowers and employs underserved youth and adults in the digital media arts. Find out more about donating and volunteering with their organization on their website.
