Story perspectives

Teen’s Secret Video Secures $700K Gene-Therapy Funding

5/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

A secret Facebook video by 15-year-old Will Roberts sparked a viral campaign that secured access to experimental gene-therapy.
Roberts began a two-week DeltaRex-G treatment in Santa Monica, California, reporting only mild side effects.
The campaign raised over $700,000 on GoFundMe to cover the therapy’s production costs.
President Donald Trump, Dr. Mehmet Oz and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. invoked Right-to-Try protocols to expedite the drug’s availability.

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Story summary

A secret Facebook video by 15-year-old Will Roberts sparked a viral campaign that secured access to experimental gene-therapy.
Roberts began a two-week DeltaRex-G treatment in Santa Monica, California, reporting only mild side effects.
The campaign raised over $700,000 on GoFundMe to cover the therapy’s production costs.
President Donald Trump, Dr. Mehmet Oz and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. invoked Right-to-Try protocols to expedite the drug’s availability.