In the quiet town of Ralph, Alabama, the dawn broke today over a household that likely hasn’t seen much sleep. For Jason and Brittney Roberts, the silence of the early morning hours wasn’t a reprieve; it was a heavy, lingering space filled with the kind of prayers that are whispered when words start to fail. And for their son, Will—a young man who has become a symbol of quiet courage in the face of a brutal adversary—the sunrise marked the beginning of perhaps the most significant day in his long battle with bone cancer.
Today is not just another Tuesday. Today is the day the world feels like it is holding its breath. Three days ago, Will underwent a series of extensive scans—medical snapshots designed to peer deep into his body to see what the naked eye cannot. Today, the doctors at the clinic will sit down with Jason and Brittney to translate those images into a roadmap for the future. They will discuss what the scans revealed, where the disease stands, and what treatment—if any—remains as a viable path forward.
The Agony of the “Scanxiety”
There is a specific kind of psychological toll that comes with fighting cancer, one that the medical community often refers to as “scanxiety.” It is the excruciating period between the clicking of the MRI machine and the opening of the doctor’s office door. For the Roberts family, these past 72 hours have been a marathon of the mind.
When you are fighting a disease as aggressive as bone cancer, every scan is a crossroads. It is the difference between a sigh of relief and a new mountain to climb. It is the moment where hope meets the cold, hard reality of clinical data. For Jason and Brittney, today’s meeting represents the culmination of every sleepless night, every tear shed in private, and every ounce of strength they have poured into their son’s survival.
A Foundation of Unshakeable Faith
If you have followed Will’s journey through the updates shared by Brittney, you know one thing to be true above all else: the Roberts family does not walk this path alone. Their lives are anchored in a deep, abiding faith that transcends the walls of a hospital or the results on a computer screen. They are a family that breathes prayer as naturally as oxygen.
In the face of a diagnosis that would break many, they have leaned into the promise that there is a peace that passes all understanding. But even the strongest pillars need support. Even the most faithful warriors get weary. That is why today, more than ever, the call for community intervention is so vital.
They believe in the power of prayer—not just as a ritual, but as a tangible force that can shift atmospheres and comfort the brokenhearted. They believe that when thousands of people across the country, and even the world, lift up one name simultaneously, it creates a shield of light around a boy who has already endured more than most adults do in a lifetime.
The Boy Behind the Battle
It is easy to get lost in the medical terminology—the “lesions,” the “femurs,” the “radiation cycles”—and forget the boy at the center of it all. Will Roberts is more than a patient. He is a son, a friend, a dreamer, and a teenager who should be worried about school or sports rather than the efficacy of a chemotherapy trial.
Will’s journey has been marked by a level of maturity that is both inspiring and heartbreaking. As recently shared, he has begun to engage in conversations about the “next steps”—not just medical steps, but spiritual ones. He talks about Heaven with a clarity that humbles those around him. Yet, despite his proximity to the eternal, he remains a boy in Ralph, Alabama, who needs to feel the warmth of his community’s embrace.
The Power of a Comment, The Strength of a Word
In our digital age, it is easy to underestimate the power of a Facebook comment or a shared post. We scroll past stories of struggle every day, perhaps offering a fleeting thought before moving on. But for a mother sitting in a sterile waiting room, staring at a phone screen while waiting for her son’s name to be called, those comments are a lifeline.
When Jason and Brittney look at their phones today, they shouldn’t see a void. They should see a digital “cloud of witnesses.” Each comment—whether it’s a simple “We are praying,” a Bible verse, or a “Stay Strong, Will”—acts as a brick in a wall of solidarity. It reminds them that while the room they are sitting in might feel small and lonely, there are thousands of people standing in the hallway with them in spirit.
Our words have the power to calm the storm of “what-ifs” that are undoubtedly swirling in their heads. They provide the “second wind” to a family that has been running this race for a very long time.
Looking Ahead to the Results
The Roberts have promised to share the results of the scans as soon as they are able to process the information. Whatever the news may be, the mission of the community remains unchanged: to stand with Will.
If the news is good, we will celebrate with a shout of joy that reaches the rafters. If the news is difficult, we will tighten the circle. We will not look away. We will not let the silence of a difficult diagnosis drown out the sound of our collective support.
The journey doesn’t end today, regardless of the scan results. There is a GoFundMe page established to help the family navigate the staggering costs of specialized care, and Brittney continues to provide raw, honest updates on her page, Brittney Battles Roberts. These are the practical ways we can help, but the spiritual and emotional help starts with the simple act of showing up.
A Call to Action for Will
So, as you go about your day—as you grab your coffee, head to work, or pick up your children—please carry the image of a brave boy in Alabama with you. Take one minute. Not ten, not five, just sixty seconds to leave a word of encouragement for Will.
Let’s flood their notifications. Let’s make their phones buzz with so much love that it drowns out the anxiety. Let’s show Will Roberts that “Step by Step,” he has an army walking beside him.
Ralph, Alabama might be a small place on a map, but the love surrounding Will Roberts today is global. We are waiting with you, Jason and Brittney. We are fighting with you, Will.
May today be a day of clarity, may it be a day of peace, and above all, may it be a day where the Roberts family feels the tangible presence of a community that refuses to let go.
