Teen whose cancer battle drew nationwide support has died

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

An Alabama 15-year-old whose battle with cancer drew widespread support from thousands of people across the country died early Thursday, his family announced in a Facebook post.

Will Roberts died at 12:45 a.m. Thursday while receiving care at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. His mother said family members gathered at his bedside before doctors removed oxygen and increased sedation after she and Will’s father made the decision to transition him to comfort care.

“My husband and I made a very selfless decision tonight to stop the suffering,” she wrote.

According to the post, Roberts’ cancer had progressed to his brain, affecting his mental capacity. His parents said they chose to focus on keeping him comfortable during his final hours.

His mother said she and his father were with him when he died.

Will Roberts

For about 18 months, Roberts’ cancer journey was followed by thousands through social media updates documenting his treatment, setbacks and milestones. Churches across the country organized prayer efforts on his behalf, while supporters regularly shared messages of encouragement for the family.

Throughout that time, his family emphasized that Roberts was more than his diagnosis.

“Will was so much more than cancer,” his mother wrote. “Will was the funniest person in the room. Will had a personality that could light up a hospital floor. Will was stubborn enough to drive us crazy one minute and make us laugh the next. Will loved hard, fought harder, and never stopped believing there was another mountain to climb.”

His mother said the family’s Christian faith remained central throughout his illness and that they believe his life strengthened the faith of others.

“Over the last year and a half, we have watched complete strangers become family,” she wrote. “We have watched churches across the country pray for a child they had never met. We have watched people come back to God, strengthen their faith, and believe in the power of prayer because of Will.”

She wrote that although the family had prayed daily for healing, they believe Roberts experienced “complete healing in Heaven.”

“What a beautiful gift that God gave me today on my birthday … a celebration that there is no more cancer and Will entered into the kingdom of Heaven,” she wrote.

His mother thanked the many people who supported the family throughout Roberts’ illness, including those who prayed, donated and followed his journey.

“Our story with Will didn’t end today,” she wrote. “It simply changed chapters. We will spend the rest of our lives making sure the world knows who Will was, what God did through Will’s life, and how one fifteen-year-old changed more lives than most people ever will.”

She also thanked the doctors, nurses and staff at Rady Children’s Hospital for the care they provided during Roberts’ treatment, saying the family plans to share more about their support in a future post.