Make-A-Wish Foundation : The Batkid story #AtoZChallenge

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan
29
The city was in trouble and there was only one superhero who could save it.
His name was Miles Scott. He was 5 years old and had been on treatment for leukemia since the age of eighteen months. But he had one secret... he was Batkid.

For a single day, San Francisco became the Gotham of comic books as thousands of people took a break from their jobs and came on to the streets to support the Batkid, Miles Scott

For a single day, San Francisco became the Gotham of comic books as thousands of people took a break from their jobs and came on to the streets to (paraphrasing from 'The Dark Knight') 'be the city the hero needed'.

As the day progressed, accompanied by Batman, Batkid would do it all.

For a single day, San Francisco became the Gotham of comic books as thousands of people took a break from their jobs and came on to the streets to support the Batkid, Miles Scott
Save a damsel in distress? Check.

The Batkid story remains one of the most famous successful events done by the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Drive around Gotham in a Lamborghini Batmobile? Check. 

The Batkid story remains one of the most famous successful events done by the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Stop a bank robbery orchestrated by the dastardly Riddler? Check. 

For a single day, San Francisco became the Gotham of comic books as thousands of people took a break from their jobs and came on to the streets to support the Batkid, Miles Scott

Everywhere the child went, thousands waited in line to cheer him on. They even had Batkid shirts and caps (some just painted on with markers).

Having saved the San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal, Mile Scott would eventually end up at City Hall where he got the key to the city from the actual Mayor himself, who declared the momentous day "Batkid day, forever". There was even a faux front page of the Gotham City Chronicle thanking the Batkid for saving the city.


No less than The President of the United States lent his support to the tiny superhero, egging the crowd on via social media.

How is any of this possible, you ask?

Thank the good will of strangers and a 37 year old organization called the Make-A-Wish Foundation (MAW). The non-profit organization looks to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. They coordinate with health care bodies (to determine if the child is fit for their wish) on one side and celebrities on the other side to make dreams (and often, last wishes) come true.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 43rd birthday eating cake  and sharing batting tips with Make-A-Wish Foundation children
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 43rd birthday cutting his cake 
and sharing batting tips with Make-A-Wish Foundation children

Today, MAW operates in 50 countries, including India where stars including Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Shahid Kapoor and Mahesh Babu have fulfilled wishes.

Till date, WWE wrestler John Cena 'holds the belt' for most wishes granted (500+) by a single individual on Earth
Till date, WWE wrestler John Cena 'holds the belt' for most wishes granted (500+) by a single individual - a true Universal Champion, indeed (Video here)

In the case of the Batkid, what was truly magical was that an entire city came together. Even the MAW never imagined in their wildest dreams being able to hold something this grand. The scenario escalated purely via word of mouth.

For a single day, San Francisco became the Gotham of comic books as thousands of people took a break from their jobs and came on to the streets to support the Batkid, Miles Scott

From the mayor to the bank, from college kids to business men, thousands of absolute strangers decided to help make this child feel special that day. There was no newspaper announcement - social media was used the right way for once, for a positive impact.

The Batkid story remains one of the most famous successful events done by the Make-A-Wish Foundation


A documentary on Miles Scott and his Batkid day was bought by no less than Warner Brothers (who made the recent Batman movies). The film was released as Batkid Begins, a play on the 'Batman Begins' title of the famous trilogy, garnering an excellent 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Why I want you to remember the Make-A-Wish-Foundation 

 Till date, more than half a million seemingly impossible wishes of sick children have been successfully fulfilled by this non-profit group. The journey continues even today to make dreams come true for sick and terminal children all over the world.

The Batkid story remains one of the most famous successful events done by the Make-A-Wish Foundation



This is part of my #AtoZChallenge where I will be focusing on Real Life Heroes: Shining Examples of Kindness and Compassion. You can find other real-life heroes here.

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29Comments

Let me know what you think.

  1. I've admired the efforts of the Make-A-Wish foundation for the longest time. Thank you for sharing the story of BatKid. How absolutely adorable!

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  2. If wishes were horses...... Thank God for MAW to prove this statement wrong. Sick children need more than just medicine to get better

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  3. I remember this event. It was so awe inspiring to see the city come together and give this little boy such a perfect day. WeekendsInMaine

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  4. MAW is undoubtedly a blessing to the mankind especially those tiny angels who unfortunately are not as lucky in health parameters. Heart-warming post as always!

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  5. These guys are doing a truly commendable job. It is so tough to bring smiles and joy to a person in pain. The kids are brave and they deserve every chance at happiness; even while they fight it out... brilliant choice doc :)

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  6. That is such a noble thing to do! That ability to bring happiness in other's life is simply priceless!

    Cheers
    BoisterousBee

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  7. The Make-A-Wish foundation has been doing some excellent, admirable work. This one though...this is so so special! Thank you for this series, Roshan! It's the need of the hour in these toxic times.

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  8. I recall this story when it first came out. Make A Wish is a great organization.

    ~Mary
    Jingle Jangle Jungle
    #AtoZChallenge 1970's Billboard Hits

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  9. It's one of the foundations I support yearly so I was happy to read this post. Make A Wish is awesome.

    Suzy at Someday Somewhere - Music is

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  10. A great initiave on the part of Make a Wish making differences to life and make the world a better place. We need to show to the world the capabilities of the children.

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  11. I have heard about the Make a wish foundation and I really appreciate what they do. They add so much joy to the lives of these little kids fighting battles with diseases.

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  12. I think the Make A Wish foundation is is simply brilliant! I've read so many wonderful stories about them making wishes come true, and here you share the most adorable one!:)

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  13. I'm in love with Bat-Kid! I can imagine the wide-eyed wonder of the child who wished for this. MAW is doing a great job by fulfilling so many wishes.

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  14. Make a wish foundation is doing great work for all the kids. Its just the idea which is helping everyone but not many of us think this way otherwise this world would have been a beautiful place.

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  15. I so loved this post, Doc..made me feel all warm and fuzzy!

    Shubhangi @ The Little Princess

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  16. Wonderful article, Roshan! MAW is such a wonderful organization. I remember my cousin who had cystic fibrosis going to Disneyworld because of MAW when she was a kid. She died at 18 in 1990.

    How touching that all those people helped make that little boy's day that much more special.Thanks for writing these articles to remind us of the good in the world.

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  17. wow, what can be better than fullfilling the wishes of children who are not being able to live their life fully. Make a wish foundation has been doing great works for a long time. Salute to them

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  18. I cry every time I read about Batkid, and by the end I'm always smiling :)

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  19. I have read about Make-a-Wish foundation and the association of the celebrities in bringing smiles on the faces of the little one. But this story of Batkid Day is amazing. I mean, the whole town coming forward to make a wish come true for a 5 year old is HUGE and then the President tweeting about it... wow! Simply wow! Hats off to Miles Scott for making it beautiful for the terminally ill kids!

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  20. MAW is doing a wonderful job! I have heard of it before and the story id Batkid warms my heart always. Thanks for sharing the story, Roshan!
    Thailand Travel Stories at Kohl Eyed Me
    26 Indian Dishes at Something's Cooking

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  21. Amazing post.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Read mine here-https://creativelifestar.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/mysore-visit-the-city-of-palaces/

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  22. MAW is a really cool foundation, eh? I love how many kids have their dreams come true! :)

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  23. MAW is a wonderful organization.Its a magical story that you shared .Definitely people at their best!

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  24. I have heard of them, but didnt know they were here in india too. This is a wonderful story! and a city coming together, and a positive use of social media - that calls fora double wow!!!

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  25. I've heard of MAW, we learnt about them in school. Didn't know they operated in India as well. It's wonderful what they do. This story, especially, is so beautiful.

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  26. Make a Wish foundation is a great idea and something that makes all the pain manageable for the little kids.
    Maternal

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  27. Such a wonderful foundation where kids dream come true..Bringing smile on someone s face is such a great task..

    Launching SIM Organics This April

    *Menaka Bharathi *

    *SimpleIndianMom*

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  28. Ok, I also did not know about it's presence in India. Although, after reading the post, I think I have read about Sachin being a part of it somewhere; it's just in some muddled memory.
    This foundation is doing wonderful things, but again, they need people like you spreading their name further. As discussed on FB, I know this story of the batkid. It was so awesome you know. I mean, he would have felt like his favorite hero. Nothing could replace that feeling.
    Good job spreading the word Doc :)

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  29. Oh Yes, I have been an admirer and supporter of this foundation myself. The most soothing thing on the face of this earth is a child's smile and laughter - and MAW is doing it the right way! :)

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