Early Saturday morning, the news landed like a heavy weight. It wasn’t good. It was frightening, heartbreaking, and deeply personal. It was about a young boy and his family — people we have come to love and admire for their courage. Will Roberts of Ralph, Alabama, a 14-year-old boy whose spirit has inspired so many, has been fighting bone cancer with a bravery far beyond his years. And yesterday, preliminary PET scan results brought devastating news: Will’s cancer has spread.
Just weeks after a complex surgery at MD Anderson in Houston to remove cancer from his pelvis and femur, the Roberts family learned that the disease had returned and spread to multiple parts of his body — his jaw, sternum, lymph nodes, liver, leg bone, arm bones, and even his lungs. For any family, this would be unimaginable. For Will, a young boy still navigating adolescence, this news is terrifying.
Yet, amidst the fear, the Roberts family stands unbroken. On her Facebook page, Will’s mother, Brittney, shared the raw truth and the faith that sustains them:
“Will’s cancer has spread everywhere… We’ll sit and wait until Monday when we see if there’s even an option. I refuse to let the Devil get me. These are the most tears I’ve cried… God is not done with Will yet. The Devil will not steal my joy this Christmas because the truth is this might be our last Christmas. I don’t know what our future holds, but I know our God is bigger. Pray that Will keeps the fighter instinct in him. Pray that he wants to drag me to another hunting stand at 5 o’clock in the morning. Thank you all. It’s not over until God tells us so. Please keep us in your prayers.”
These words reflect the heart of the Roberts family — a blend of raw pain, unshakable faith, and unyielding hope. Their reality is daunting, yet they are determined to face it together, anchored by love and the conviction that Will’s fight is far from over.
For Will, life has been a battle from the start. Diagnosed with bone cancer at a young age, he has endured surgeries, hospital stays, chemotherapy, and countless treatments, each one testing his courage and resilience. Through it all, he has remained determined to live like any other teenager: to laugh, to hunt, to play, to chase the ordinary joys that life offers. He has shown a fighter’s spirit, a determination to embrace life despite the shadow of illness.
His parents, Jason and Brittney, have become his unwavering pillars. Every hospital visit, every procedure, every moment of fear is met with love, patience, and fierce advocacy. They have navigated the complex world of pediatric oncology with grace and dedication, ensuring Will has the best care possible while offering him comfort, reassurance, and normalcy whenever possible.
Will’s sister, Charlie, has been an equally important part of this journey. Watching a sibling battle cancer is both heartbreaking and formative, yet Charlie has shown remarkable resilience, supporting her brother with love and encouragement, helping maintain a sense of family and home amidst the uncertainty.
The Roberts family’s story is not just about illness; it’s about the human spirit, about the courage found in the smallest of hearts, and about a family’s unwavering commitment to fight alongside their child. The weight of knowing this might be their last Christmas together in the way they hoped is immense, yet they cling to hope, faith, and the community that surrounds them.
For their friends, neighbors, and all who know Will’s story, this is a time to rally — to lift them in prayer, to offer messages of encouragement, and to remind them that they are not alone. The love and support of a community can provide strength, comfort, and courage when fear and uncertainty feel overwhelming.
Even in the face of such frightening news, the Roberts family demonstrates a remarkable perspective. They acknowledge the severity of Will’s situation, yet they focus on the moments of joy, the small victories, and the unwavering bond that holds them together. The call to pray for Will, for his determination to keep fighting, and for his family’s peace is a reminder that hope and faith are powerful forces in even the darkest times.
Will’s journey is far from over. While the PET scan results are sobering, the next steps — consultations with his oncologist, treatment planning, and family support — offer pathways forward. Every day, every treatment, every moment of care matters. Will’s courage, combined with the love and advocacy of Jason, Brittney, and Charlie, provides him with the foundation he needs to face whatever comes next.
This story is about more than illness. It is about resilience, faith, and the extraordinary love of a family confronting unimaginable challenges. It is about a young boy who refuses to let fear define him, parents who refuse to let despair overcome hope, and a sister whose love is steadfast and unwavering. It is about the community that surrounds them, offering prayers, encouragement, and solidarity.
As the Roberts family waits for their oncologist’s guidance, they are asking the world to join them in hope. To pray for Will’s strength, his spirit, and the perseverance of his family. To lift them up during a time when uncertainty and fear are at their peak. To remind them that even when the road is dark, they are not walking it alone.
Will Roberts is a fighter. His courage, his family’s devotion, and the community of friends, neighbors, and supporters surrounding them are a testament to the power of hope, love, and faith in the face of life’s most challenging moments.
This Christmas, as the Roberts family holds each other close, they are asking for one thing: prayers, support, and love. Because with that, they know they can face whatever comes next — together, with courage, determination, and unshakable hope.
Fighting Osteosarcoma and Living Life on My Terms.743b
A few months before I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, I began noticing aches and pains in my leg. At first, it was easy to dismiss them as growing pains. But soon, my leg started giving way, and I developed a noticeable limp. Concerned, my mum took me to see the GP. I was told it was nothing serious—just growing pains—and to wait and see if it improved.
The pain continued to worsen. My mum was convinced that something was wrong, and she demanded that I have an x-ray. The following day, I went to my local hospital in Ilkeston. The first x-ray, taken from a single angle, appeared clear. The doctors decided to put my leg in plaster for six weeks, suspecting torn ligaments. I sat in the plaster room, waiting for my cast to be fitted, when a radiologist came in and suggested they thought they saw something unusual. A new x-ray was taken from the side with my leg bent.
The results were shocking: there was a tumour in my left femur, and I needed a biopsy. At that time, no one said the word “cancer.” All I knew was that there was something serious in my leg that had to be removed. A few days later, I had the biopsy at Derby Children’s Hospital. The diagnosis confirmed my fears: osteosarcoma.
The initial option at my local hospital was amputation. Fortunately, my surgeon had connections with Mr. Rodney Sweetnam (later Sir Rodney) at Middlesex Hospital in London, who was performing limb-salvage surgeries. He agreed to take me on as a patient, offering a chance to save my leg.
Over six months, I underwent six cycles of intensive chemotherapy, given over four days every three weeks. Chemotherapy was extremely challenging. I needed four blood transfusions, and losing my hair was heart-wrenching. Despite this, I refused to wear a wig and embraced the changes my body was undergoing.
Following chemotherapy, I underwent complex surgery to replace my femur, tibia, and knee joint. Because I was still growing, I required further surgeries every 8–10 months to adjust and replace the implant as my bones developed. My last major revision surgery was in 1994, with smaller adjustments continuing as recently as January 2022. These repeated procedures required extensive travel to Middlesex Hospital, and much of my childhood, between ages 8 and 15, was spent moving between home and London for treatment.
Growing up with this condition was challenging beyond the physical pain. I experienced bullying at school and emotional exhaustion, but these experiences taught me resilience. I learned to stand up to the difficulties, to the bullies, and ultimately to cancer itself. My mum was my rock, always by my side, and my entire family provided unwavering support. Today, my husband and children continue to give me strength.
Despite everything, I refused to let osteosarcoma define my life. I continued with school, maintained friendships, and pursued my interests. Over the years, I realized that while cancer had changed my life, it didn’t have to limit it. I grew into a strong, independent adult who refused to give up, no matter how difficult the journey became.
My message to current patients is simple: fight with everything you have. No one else can fight for you. There will be down days, and it is okay to feel vulnerable, sad, or overwhelmed. But after those moments, find the strength to keep moving forward. Celebrate small victories, embrace your support network, and trust in your ability to endure.
Awareness is crucial. Early diagnosis improves survival rates and reduces the need for extreme measures such as amputation. The work of the Bone Cancer Research Trust is invaluable in raising awareness and funding research into primary bone cancers. Their efforts ensure that patients and families receive timely information, support, and access to innovative treatments.
Reflecting on my journey, I recognize the many ways osteosarcoma has shaped my life. I have faced intense physical challenges, long periods of hospitalisation, and emotional strain. Yet I have also discovered resilience I didn’t know I had, and I have learned the importance of family, community, and self-advocacy. My journey demonstrates that it is possible to reclaim your life and independence, even in the face of a serious, life-altering diagnosis.
Today, I live fully and embrace life with gratitude. I continue to share my story to inspire others, raise awareness of bone cancer, and highlight the importance of early diagnosis. I want every patient and family to know that they are not alone. Cancer may change your life, but it cannot take your courage, your hope, or your ability to fight.
The lesson I have learned is this: you are allowed to have down days, but always return to the fight. Keep your spirit alive, lean on those who love you, and never stop being amazing. Osteosarcoma may have marked my leg, but it has also taught me resilience, strength, and the power of refusing to give up.
