Grieving Tuscaloosa County Parents Get Letter from Trump After Son’s Death

Brittney Battles Roberts walked to her mailbox in Ralph last week like any other day and was stunned when she pulled out an envelope from The White House.

Inside was a letter dated July 24, 2026, the day after her 15-year-old son Will Roberts died at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego following a yearlong fight with a rare and deadly bone cancer that had drawn national attention and united thousands in prayer.

"Melania and I are devastated to learn about the passing of your beloved son, William," President Donald Trump wrote to Brittney and her husband, Jason. "Will faced his battle against cancer with extraordinary courage, unwavering faith, and a joyful spirit that inspired everybody who heard his story."

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The letter, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Jason Roberts of Ralph, Alabama, also mentioned Will's younger sister Charlie — a detail that moved Brittney deeply.

"As her mama, that meant more than I can put into words," she wrote on Facebook, "because she walked every single step of this journey too."

The letter closed with a prayer for the family. "We pray you find solace in knowing that your son is at peace in Heaven, resting eternally in the loving arms of our Creator. May God bless you and your family."

Brittney shared an image of the letter on Facebook alongside a lengthy reflection on what Will's reaction might have been.

"I can hear Will now," she wrote. "'Mama, what did Trump say? You think he actually wrote that? Like HIM?'"

She imagined him studying the letter, then pivoting to something bigger than himself and pushing for the FDA approval of Delta Rex, the experimental drug Will and his family pursued during his treatment.

"Delta Rex will be administered with FDA approval before I take my last breath on this Earth," she wrote, "and Dr. Erlinda Gordon will be famous for it."

Will Roberts died on July 23. He was 15 years old. He is survived by his parents and his sister, Charlie.

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