Jehovah’s Witness cancer patient under fire for rejecting blood transfusion after ₦30m donations

•Preventing breast cancer. Image credit: Global News

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A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X as AuntieEsther, has sparked widespread debate after rejecting a blood transfusion recommended as part of her treatment.

AuntieEsther’s decision, rooted in her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness, has drawn strong reactions from Nigerians, especially after she received more than ₦30 million in public donations for her medical care.

A major part of the fundraising was coordinated by charity advocate, Wisdom Obi-Dickson, known on X as @Wizarab10, who announced that over ₦30.7 million had been raised as of December 1, 2025.

In an update shared on her X account, she explained that recent medical tests confirmed the cancer was confined to her breast and armpit areas.

She wrote, “Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. I know say a lot of people want update. I say make I tell una, my result don come out. I thank all of you for your monetary contributions. Doc tell @auntymuse, myself and my husband the results.

“My organs inside fine fine. Doc say she want to start chemotherapy but I go take injection. I respect everyone’s opinion but my family and I choose the injection and food dat go boost my blood.

“Doc accept my decision and she say she go follow me but nah small small e go reach when I go start the chemo. I will be on treatment to boost the blood count and chemo will start.”

She also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the overwhelming financial support.

She wrote, “I appreciate everybody. Thank you #Wizard10 and #the_beardsina. I am getting better. God bless.”

However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Obi-Dickson revealed that AuntieEsther’s church had warned she would face disciplinary action, including possible disfellowship, if she accepted a blood transfusion.

According to him, doctors presented two treatment options, a transfusion-supported procedure well within the current budget or a far more expensive method that avoids transfusion.

He added that she opted for the second in line with her religious doctrine.

He wrote, “Thanks to you all who have been supportive with donations and care for Aunty Esther. The latest update is that she is responding to care. Her blood levels are being optimised for the next phase of care.”

He added that although the decision would prolong treatment and increase costs, it had to be respected.

All donations, he said, would be directed strictly towards AuntieEsther’s medical bills and ongoing care.

“She was offered the option of a blood transfusion before she could begin chemo but she declined due to her faith. She is a Jehovah’s Witness and thus opting for another alternative.

“Though it will take longer and cost more, we have to respect her religious beliefs,” he added.

Obi-Dickson later expressed frustration, noting that despite medical advice, AuntieEsther, her family and church leaders insisted on refusing transfusion under any circumstance.

He suggested that since their religious stance outweighs medical recommendations, it might be best for them to take full responsibility going forward.

Another media personality, #AUNTYMUSE_, who has supported AuntieEsther throughout her treatment, confirmed that her stance against transfusion was made clear from the beginning, even before the fundraising started.

She noted that two treatment pathways were offered and AuntieEsther intentionally chose the non-transfusion option, which doctors agreed could still work.

However, this did not sit well with many netizens.

They argued that the funds should be redirected to other patients in urgent need, insisting that donations were intended to save a life, not to support a choice that could endanger it.

Toma To Shun, a user on X, tweeting as #Tmama_toma, wrote, ” She should rather leave the hospital then and move to church fully for deliverance. While money donated is used for other people in need of treatment and support. Alternatively, return all the money donated to all contributors.”

Another X user, Hud Adeyinka Katayeyanjue, tweeting as #Hud Adeyinka Katayeyanjue wrote, “Belief shouldn’t end the life God is still sustaining. Choosing treatment isn’t faithlessness, it’s stewardship. There is no worship in the grave. Sometimes the most spiritual decision is to stay alive long enough to praise God better.”

Reality TV personality, Natacha Akide, widely known as Simply Tacha, expressed disbelief and frustration over the patient’s decision.

In a post on her X account, she wrote, “If someone wants to die, I honestly don’t understand the back-and-forth. Let the person be. I don’t get why people are trying to save someone who doesn’t want to be saved. This isn’t religion anymore — it’s pure madness.”

Meanwhile, Obi-Dickson has continued to provide transparency regarding the donations raised for Omolola’s treatment.

In his latest update, he posted evidence showing the remaining balance of the funds after Omolola requested that part of it be used to purchase food.

According to him, she had asked for a particular kind of soup, her preferred meal since she mostly eats swallow and the total cost for the soup and delivery came to ₦74,000.

Sharing the receipt, Dickson added, “Aunty Esther wanted soup, since swallow is her go-to. That’s the bill, ₦74k including delivery. Balance brought forward as of December 1, 2025: ₦30,776,252. Thank you for your kindness.”

The situation has continued to spark debate about the intersection of faith, medical science and public fundraising, with many Nigerians questioning how religious convictions should influence life-saving medical decisions, especially when public donations are involved.

Adetutu has three years experience in publishing stories on gender, health, education, metro and fact-checking.

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