A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X as AuntieEsther, who sparked widespread debate after rejecting a blood transfusion recommended as part of her treatment has died.
Her death was confirmed on Saturday by media personality #AUNTYMUSE_, who supported her throughout her treatment journey.
Reacting to a post announcing AuntieEsther death by an X user, Tabuko, tweeting as swaggsphotos, who wrote, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther.Very Sad!” #AUNTYMUSE_ wrote, “May her soul rest in peace 🙏🙏.”
AuntieEsther had sparked nationwide debate in recent months after publicly rejecting a blood transfusion recommended by doctors as part of her cancer treatment, citing her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Her case drew significant public attention after Nigerians donated over ₦30 million to support her medical care.
The fundraising was largely coordinated by charity advocate, Wisdom Obi-Dickson, popularly known on X as #Wizarab10, who announced that a total of ₦30.7 million had been raised as of December 1, 2025.
In an earlier update shared on her X account, AuntieEsther disclosed that medical tests showed the cancer was confined to her breast and armpit areas.
She said doctors had proposed chemotherapy but advised that her blood levels needed to be improved first.
“My organs inside fine. Doc say she want to start chemotherapy but I go take injection,” she wrote, adding that she and her family had opted for treatment methods that would boost her blood count without transfusion.
She also thanked Nigerians for their generosity, saying, “I appreciate everybody. Thank you #Wizarab10 and #the_beardsina. God bless.”
However, the situation took a controversial turn when Obi-Dickson revealed that AuntieEsther’s church had warned her of possible disciplinary action, including disfellowship, if she accepted a blood transfusion.
According to him, doctors offered two options: a transfusion-supported treatment that was well within the donated funds, or a more expensive and prolonged alternative that avoided blood transfusion. He said she chose the latter in line with her religious beliefs.
“Though it will take longer and cost more, we have to respect her religious beliefs,” Obi-Dickson said at the time.
He later expressed frustration, noting that despite repeated medical advice, AuntieEsther, her family and church leaders insisted on refusing transfusion under any circumstance.
He suggested that their firm stance meant they should take greater responsibility for the outcome of her care.
Meanwhile, #AUNTYMUSE_ clarified that AuntieEsther’s position against blood transfusion had been stated clearly from the beginning, even before the fundraising started.
She said doctors had agreed that the non-transfusion treatment could still work.
The controversy sparked intense reactions online, with some Nigerians arguing that the donated funds should be redirected to other patients if life-saving medical advice was being rejected.
