Alabama Teen Battles Rare Bone Cancer with Experimental Treatment
A 15-year-old boy from Alabama, diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, is undergoing his second week of experimental treatment. His plight gained wide attention after a heartfelt video he recorded, unbeknownst to his mother, went viral. High-profile figures, including President Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz, took notice.
Will Roberts filmed the video on April 22, expressing his desperation after a grueling 16-month battle with stage 4 osteosarcoma. The aggressive cancer had spread rapidly, ultimately leading to the amputation of his leg.
In his emotional message, Will appealed for help to access Deltarex-G, an experimental gene therapy he viewed as his last hope following multiple failed conventional treatments and surgeries.
His family shared that Will wanted not only to advocate for himself but also to ease his mother’s burdens as she struggled to cope with the situation. He hoped to raise awareness for other children fighting similar health battles.
“Hi, this is Will. My mom doesn’t know I’m doing this,” he stated in the video. “Please share this. My mom may get upset, but I want to help her as much as I can right now. I need this to reach President Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. If anyone knows them, please let them know or contact my mom.”
After the video’s success, Will and his family secured access to the experimental therapy and relocated to Santa Monica, California, in early May.
“The doctors saw Will’s condition and told us there was little chance of survival,” said his father, Jason Roberts. “That motivated us to seek alternative treatments.”
Initially diagnosed with childhood bone cancer in January 2025, Will’s leg pain had been misinterpreted as growing pains. Following the amputation, doctors found that the cancer had aggressively spread to his bladder, necessitating major pelvic surgery.
Despite traditional chemotherapy providing limited hope, and with osteosarcoma treatment protocols largely stagnant for years, the family was determined to pursue new avenues.
They discovered DeltaRex-G, an experimental gene therapy that is costly and not easily accessible in the U.S., as it hasn’t yet received FDA approval and is burdened by limited availability and long waiting lists.
Will’s mother, Britney, remarked, “We won’t let anyone silence us. We are committed to getting heard.” She humorously noted that Will, worried about his mother’s mental state, took it upon himself to make the video.
Will, accessing his mother’s Facebook account, shared his plea, which ultimately spurred nationwide support and raised over $700,000 through GoFundMe. The family’s journey attracted the attention of many influential figures.
On May 11, President Trump reached out with a supportive video message for Will and his family.
Dr. Oz and Secretary Kennedy also assisted in facilitating quicker access to Deltarex-G, working alongside the drug’s developers under federal “right to try” laws.
As of now, Will reports only minor side effects from his treatment, such as body aches, while persisting through the challenges the family has faced.
Ultimately, Will’s viral plea was driven by his desire to help other children who might benefit from alternative therapies. “I think the video resonated because, even in his situation, he wanted to help others. Maybe it’s too late for him, but he hopes it can make a difference for someone else,” Jason expressed.
The family credits their resilience to strong faith, believing they have seen significant changes in their journey thanks to divine assistance. “Without God, none of this would be possible,” Jason concluded, highlighting their unwavering hope.
