MILES ALPERN LEVIN was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 17 with an extremely a rare pediatric muscle cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma affecting only 350 children a year. The chances of getting this disease are incredibly remote. He died in 2007 a few days before his 19th birthday.

In the two years of his illness, Miles miraculously evolved from a typical teenager to achieve national fame by creating an internet blog that was read by tens of thousands of people all around the world. He described his confrontation with death and his savoring every moment of life with of courage, humor, sensitivity, and grace. He developed an astonishing level of wisdom and insight far beyond his years, and became an inspirational public figure.

Miles’ story was covered in the news media, both in print and on national television. He was interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN and Bob Woodruff on ABC. Woodruff, who had suffered injuries in Iraq, became a close personal friend and admirer, and attributed in part his own recovery to the inspiration he received from Miles.

Miles was the recipient of numerous awards and citations, including the prestigious National Sarcoma Foundation Leadership and Courage Award as its youngest recipient. 15,000 people responded to his blog each month from around the world, including Asia, Europe, and South America, from parents struggling with a child’s illness or death, other kids facing death, and healthy admirers. He helping people overcome addiction and depression, and people on the brink of suicide. He gave inspirational strength to numerous patients in hospitals.

Miles was a keen observer of the most minute aspects of reality and evolved into a brilliant writer with wit, charm, and erudition. His wisdom, charisma, and depth of character evolved and intensified as his illness progressed. In the final years of his life, he created paintings, sculptures, and even began composing. A central theme of his writing was that the confrontation with death and adversity could be seized as challenge to expand your heart and mind. On the day of his death, that there were several million hits on his website.

The Mannes Institute is honored to give this award for an outstanding personal essay to celebrate the creativity and courage of this remarkable and inspirational young man.