Trump admin helps Alabama teen fly to LA for life-saving cancer treatment
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A 15-year-old Alabama teen battling a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer has traveled across the country for potentially life-saving treatment after his plea for help reached Donald Trump and members of his administration.
Will Roberts, who has been fighting osteosarcoma for over a year, made an emotional appeal in a video posted on his mother’s Facebook page in April. In the clip, he described the severity of his condition and said that standard treatments, including chemotherapy, were no longer working. “It’s a very, very deadly and hard-to-treat bone cancer,” he said, adding that his options were running out.
Plea for help reaches top officials
The video quickly gained attention and was eventually shared with Trump through an Alabama businessman. From there, it circulated among key figures in the administration, including Melania Trump, Robert F Kennedy Jr, and Mehmet Oz.
Through these connections, the family was put in touch with specialists at the Sarcoma Oncology Center in Santa Monica, California, a facility known for offering experimental therapies and clinical trials for difficult-to-treat cancers. Within days, arrangements were made for Will to travel to Los Angeles and begin treatment.
In a follow-up video, the teen expressed gratitude for the support he received. “Man, y’all care so much for me to get this drug and I appreciate it so much,” he said, thanking those who helped make the trip possible.
High costs and hope for recovery
While the opportunity has given the family renewed hope, the financial burden remains significant. The cost of treatment is estimated to reach around $500,000, with the family already spending over $100,000 on travel and related medical expenses. A GoFundMe campaign launched to support Will’s care has raised more than $669,000 toward its $750,000 goal.
Doctors have outlined an intensive treatment plan that includes multiple weekly sessions, as they attempt to slow or stop the progression of the disease. Though the road ahead remains uncertain, the family says the move has brought a sense of optimism.
Will’s mother shared an emotional update, saying the experience has been about more than just treatment. “We didn’t come to California for comfort. We came for a chance,” she said, adding that the support and opportunities they’ve encountered have given them renewed hope.
The case highlights both the challenges faced by patients with rare cancers and the role that public appeals and connections can play in accessing experimental care.
