LDL. Love, Laughter, and a Father’s Fighting Spirit: Inside Will Roberts’ Ongoing Battle With Bone Cancer

When 14-year-old Will Roberts was diagnosed with bone cancer, his family never imagined how completely it would reshape their lives. What began as a medical crisis has turned into a relentless journey through surgeries, chemotherapy, hospital stays, emotional exhaustion, and unwavering faith. But even in the darkest moments, Will’s family has found light in love, humor, and a community that refuses to let them walk alone.

Will, from Alabama, has already endured more than many people face in a lifetime. Earlier in his fight, doctors were forced to amputate his left leg to stop the aggressive cancer from spreading. It was a devastating blow, especially for a boy who loved being active and dreamed of fishing and outdoor adventures. Yet Will faced it with quiet courage, refusing to let fear define him.

Recently, his family was shaken again when sudden severe pain in his chest and back sent him rushing back to the hospital. What started as an ordinary evening — Will telling his family he would come downstairs to watch a movie — quickly turned into a medical emergency. He called his mother Brittney, weak and unable to move, and by the time she reached him, he was crying and unable to stand.

That moment reminded his family how fragile everything still is.

Doctors admitted Will for urgent monitoring and pain management, fearing the cancer may be advancing again. His fevers spiked to dangerous levels, hitting 102.9 at one point. Although viral tests and cultures came back negative, the medical team determined his fever was likely caused by severe mucositis — painful chemotherapy-induced sores lining his throat and mouth.

These sores have made it almost impossible for Will to eat. Even swallowing is agonizing. His blood counts have dropped so low that he has required transfusions, which carry their own risks. Every fever resets the clock on how long he must stay hospitalized, and visitors are no longer allowed due to his weakened immune system.

“The walls start closing in fast,” Brittney shared. “But we make the best of it.”

And they truly do.

Even in isolation, Will’s hospital room has become a place of love and laughter. Brittney and Will’s grandmother have spent hours binge-watching shows together. On one evening, they even took a short walk down the street to get Chinese takeout. On another night, they watched scary movies together, finding small moments of normalcy in an otherwise exhausting routine.

But the emotional toll remains heavy.

Hospital stays are especially hard on Will’s mental health. The long days, painful treatments, and constant uncertainty weigh heavily on him. Brittney admits that watching her son suffer while knowing there is nothing she can do to stop it is one of the hardest parts of this journey.

Yet through it all, Will’s spirit shines.

Visitors continue to bring joy whenever allowed. One day, friends stopped by for lunch, others came for dinner and games. There were Simon and Bop-It games, loud laughter, and stories — so much energy that Brittney jokingly admitted her brain was overstimulated. In one hilarious moment, Jason, Will’s father, made a joking remark in front of a nurse without realizing she was behind him. When he turned around, he was mortified — and everyone burst into laughter.

“Will gets 100 percent of his personality from him,” Brittney said, smiling through the exhaustion.

These moments matter. They remind everyone that Will is still a teenager, still a boy who loves jokes, games, and being surrounded by people who care about him.

But behind the laughter is a family holding its breath.

Doctors have confirmed that the cancer in Will’s leg is no longer active and that the lesions there are dead — a rare and hopeful sign. However, scans also revealed two nodules in his lungs. While they appear necrotic, meaning the cancer cells are dying, their presence still brings fear and uncertainty.

The road ahead remains long.

Will still has weeks of chemotherapy left. His immune system is fragile. His pain is constant. And every test carries the possibility of devastating news.

Yet through it all, the Roberts family refuses to lose hope.

Their faith has become their anchor. Brittney often prays not for wealth or comfort, but for one thing — a miracle for her son. She asks God to “zap” the cancer, to erase every last sick cell from Will’s body. This Christmas, more than anything, she wants her son healthy and home.

And they are not alone.

A Christian organization and members of the fishing community recently came together to raise funds for Will’s dream: a professional bass boat. Fishing has always been his escape, a place where he can feel free again. While his parents were prepared to buy it themselves, the community insisted on blessing Will with this gift — a symbol of hope, joy, and a future still worth dreaming about.

The family made it clear they were not asking for money. They simply wanted people to know the fundraiser was legitimate and to understand the incredible kindness behind it.

“This boat isn’t about stuff,” Brittney said. “It’s about giving Will something to hold onto when everything else feels uncertain.”

Right now, the family waits. They wait for fevers to stay away. They wait for blood counts to rise. They wait for chemo to resume. And most of all, they wait for the miracle they’ve been praying for.

Will’s fight is far from over. But neither is his strength.

In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, this 14-year-old boy continues to inspire thousands simply by waking up, enduring, and believing that better days are still ahead.

And as his family often says: they will do whatever it takes — together.