Alabama Teen Completes 2 Weeks of DeltaRex-G for Stage 4 Osteosarcoma After $700,000 Viral Plea
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 18
Alabama Teen Completes 2 Weeks of DeltaRex-G for Stage 4 Osteosarcoma After $700,000 Viral Plea
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 18
Fifteen-year-old Will Roberts has finished his second week of DeltaRex-G in Santa Monica after gaining access to the experimental gene therapy through federal Right to Try channels.
A secret April 22 video posted to his mother's Facebook account went viral after 16 months of failed treatment, with Roberts saying the drug was his last chance and hoping to help other children with cancer.
The campaign drew support from Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mehmet Oz, while GoFundMe donations topped $700,000 and helped the family overcome financial and access barriers.
Roberts was diagnosed in January 2025, later lost a leg and underwent major pelvic surgery after the cancer spread; his family said two doctors told them they had never seen a survivor at his stage.
DeltaRex-G remains hard to obtain in the U.S. because it has not completed FDA approval, underscoring the family's broader push to cut red tape around promising cancer therapies.
When a viral plea unlocks a cure, does it create an unequal system for other patients?
As the FDA accelerates drug approvals, how do we balance a patient's hope with unproven risks?
Viral Hope, Unequal Access: Will Roberts’s DeltaRex-G Journey and the Ethics of Experimental Cancer Treatment in America
Overview
Will Roberts, a teenager fighting osteosarcoma, posted a heartfelt video on his mother’s Facebook page that quickly went viral, reaching over 6 million views. This surge of public attention caught the eye of Dr. Mehmet Oz, who then personally intervened by contacting the developers of the experimental drug DeltaRex-G in Santa Monica. Thanks to this rapid chain of events, Will was able to start his cancer treatment in May 2026. His story highlights how the power of social media and public support can lead to life-changing opportunities for patients seeking access to promising new therapies.