As her teenage son prepares to travel out of state for an experimental cancer treatment, one Alabama mother says the journey has become about more than just medical care — it’s also about teaching lasting life lessons.
Brittney Roberts, whose son Will has been battling osteosarcoma for more than a year, recently shared how her family is using the moment to emphasize the importance of gratitude, even in the face of uncertainty.
“Will has been forced to grow up in ways no kid ever should over the last 16 months,” she wrote in a social media post reflecting on his experience.
She said that after Will’s viral video brought national attention to his condition and helped open the door to a potential treatment, the family intentionally took time to help him process what had happened — and what it meant.
“This week wasn’t just about realizing how powerful his voice is… it was about something bigger because once you ask and receive, gratitude isn’t optional. It’s everything,” she wrote.
According to Roberts, the lesson was not just about what others had done for him, but how he chooses to respond.
“We told him that what people did for you matters, but how you respond to it matters more,” she wrote.
She added that the family encouraged Will to express his appreciation in the same way he initially asked for help — by using his voice.
“Gratitude has to be taught, modeled, and expected… especially in moments like these,” she wrote.
The latest update follows Roberts’ widely shared video that helped bring national attention to his case and led to access to an experimental treatment.
That lesson took shape in a new video message from Will, in which he thanked former President Donald Trump for helping bring attention to his case and begin the process of accessing an experimental treatment.
“Hey President Trump, I’m Will Roberts, the kid that made that video. I just wanted to thank you for everything that you’ve done for me and getting the ball rolling so I can get this drug,” he said.
In the video, Will also made an additional request — asking whether the treatment, currently available in California, could one day be brought closer to home.
“If you can… could you please just try to get this drug… over here in Alabama so I can take this drug over here at my home state,” he said.
He also expressed a desire to personally thank Trump in person.
“I would just like to meet you… and come shake your hand and thank you face to face if that’s an option,” he added.
The video comes as the family prepares to travel to California for treatment with DeltaRex-G, an experimental gene therapy that has shown early promise in patients with advanced cancers but is not widely approved as a standard treatment.
While the medical challenges remain significant, Roberts said the family is focused on ensuring that important values are not lost in the process.
“Cancer doesn’t stop the teaching of life lessons,” she wrote, emphasizing that gratitude, respect, and character remain priorities even amid uncertainty.
As the next phase of treatment approaches, the Roberts family’s journey continues to resonate with supporters who have followed Will’s story — now not only for its urgency, but for the message behind it.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
