Full Breakdown
Alabama Teen’s Viral Plea Secures Access to Experimental Gene Therapy
5/19/2026, 5:32:00 AM
Viral Plea Secures Experimental Gene Therapy
On April 22, 2025, 15-year-old Will Roberts posted a secret video on his mother’s Facebook asking for help obtaining DeltaRex-G, an experimental gene therapy for his stage 4 osteosarcoma. The plea went viral, prompting high-profile outreach; the family relocated to Santa Monica in early May, and President Trump sent a supportive video on May 11, after which treatment began mid-May.
Osteosarcoma and the Right to Try Pathway
Osteosarcoma is a rare pediatric bone cancer with few advances; standard chemotherapy offers limited benefit for advanced disease. DeltaRex-G is a tumor-targeted gene therapy not yet FDA-approved, accessible in the United States only through the Right to Try protocol that allows terminal patients to receive investigational drugs.
Key Numbers
Will is 15; his cancer spread to his bladder after leg amputation. The family raised over $700,000 via GoFundMe. DeltaRex-G batches cost hundreds of thousands of dollars; data show mild side effects, and the therapy is fast-tracked in the Philippines.
Government and Medical Officials’ Reactions
President Trump posted a video thanking the Roberts family and pledging support. Dr. Oz and Secretary Kennedy Jr. worked with California developers to expedite DeltaRex-G under Right to Try, citing Will’s urgent condition. The family thanked officials for cutting through financial and regulatory barriers.
Medical Concerns and Access Barriers
Physicians noted they had never seen a survivor at Will’s advanced stage, highlighting limited efficacy evidence. DeltaRex-G remains unapproved by the FDA, and its high cost and scarce supply are systemic barriers to broader access.
Direct Voices
- “Hey, this is Will and my mom doesn’t know I’m doing this.” — Will Roberts, patient
- “We've had two doctors look well in the face and tell him that they've never had a survivor at his stage.” — Jason Roberts, father
- “I don't care if they have to remove mama from the White House steps, I'm going to make sure that our plea gets heard.” — Brittney Roberts, mother
- “President Trump, Dr. Oz, RFK Jr., I mean, there's been so many people, Katie Britt, have truly helped us push this.” — Jason Roberts, father
Unresolved Data and Uncertainties
The sources provide no independent clinical data on DeltaRex-G’s efficacy for stage 4 osteosarcoma, and cost estimates remain vague (“hundreds of thousands”). Long-term safety and survival outcomes are undocumented.
Broader Implications
The case shows how a viral social-media plea can mobilize political and medical resources to bypass the FDA approval process, raising questions about equity, oversight, and the role of Right to Try in pediatric oncology.
Future Steps
Will continues the DeltaRex-G and chemotherapy regimen while monitoring side effects. The family hopes the experience will inform discussions on expanding access to investigational treatments for rare childhood cancers.
