Will Roberts, a 15-year-old boy from Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, lost his courageous battle with stage 4 bone cancer.
The teen captured the nation’s attention, including a call from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., when he posted a video online asking for help to gain access to an experimental cancer drug called Delta Rex G. Roberts noted in his plea that if the treatment did not arrive in time to save his own life, he held out hope that it could help other children facing the same disease.
“This might be the end of the road for me – I probably won’t get it in time, but if it can help other kids with my cancer I would love to help,” Will said in the video.
Roberts’ mother confirmed that her son passed away on Thursday, after the cancer progressed to his brain, with complications like pneumonia that ultimately led to his passing at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
“What a beautiful gift that God gave me today on my birthday….a celebration that there is no more cancer and Will entered into the kingdom of Heaven!!!! What better gift could I have received than to know my baby boy is sitting with Jesus and is cancer free…,” she said.
A 12-year-old boy whose emotional plea for help finding a treatment for his rare bone cancer touched millions has sadly passed away.
In a heartbreaking Facebook tribute, Will’s mother shared that he “entered the presence of Jesus” just after midnight on her birthday:
“At… pic.twitter.com/GauQiTS74Q
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 23, 2026
“Me, Jason, Charlie, granny, and my dad gathered around his bed and loved on him until the doctors could get everything together to prepare and remove the oxygen and increase sedation. Once that time came, me and Jason were the only ones with him when he took his last breath,” his mother said.
“Our story with Will didn’t end today. It simply changed chapters,” she added. “We will spend the rest of our lives making sure the world knows who Will was, what God did through Will’s life, and how one fifteen-year-old changed more lives than most people ever will.”
Brittney Roberts, the mother of Will Roberts, the Tuscaloosa County teenager whose courageous battle with bone cancer inspired people across the country confirmed that her son died early Thursday morning at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
In a post on Facebook, Brittney… pic.twitter.com/KlFb7I6WwF
— Gary L. Harris (@garyharris_wvua) July 23, 2026
Will’s plea prompted Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to help the teen’s medical team connect with the doctors developing the experimental treatment.
“We just lost a remarkable young man,” Oz said in an online tribute. “Will Roberts faced advanced osteosarcoma with extraordinary courage, surrounded every step of the way by the unwavering love of his parents and a medical team that pursued every advanced treatment modern medicine could offer. Some battles remind us how much work remains. Let’s honor Will by redoubling our commitment to finding cures so that no more families have to endure this devastating disease.”
We just lost a remarkable young man. Will Roberts faced advanced osteosarcoma with extraordinary courage, surrounded every step of the way by the unwavering love of his parents and a medical team that pursued every advanced treatment modern medicine could offer. Some battles… pic.twitter.com/NezLxr534x
— Dr. Oz CMS (@DrOzCMS) July 24, 2026
Here are just a few other tributes, including a post from Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, as seen on X:
I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of young Will Roberts. Alabama will remember Will as a brave young man whose courage inspired us all. God has called him home, where he is healed and with our Savior. Join me in praying for the Roberts family during this unimaginable loss.
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) July 23, 2026
Wesley and I are deeply saddened to hear this news this morning. Will was an incredible fighter, a national inspiration, and a powerful example of courage and perseverance in the face of the unthinkable.
The entire state of Alabama mourns this loss. Please join us in praying for… https://t.co/HhVkwKwR2I
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) July 23, 2026
Will fought to the finish and inspired millions of people across our country during his 15 years on earth.
Please join me in praying for the Roberts family and Will’s friends as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.https://t.co/AWEa7kpuL8
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) July 23, 2026
Early this morning Will was healed on the other side of eternity being embraced by Jesus.
Will devoted his life to Jesus, and remained faithful as he battled one of the worst things a kid could go through.
Psalm 116:15 says “precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His… pic.twitter.com/nCT5pZKaib
— Jared Hudson (@JaredHudson_AL) July 23, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.