Social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X as AuntieEsther, has died. Her death followed months of public debate after she rejected a blood transfusion recommended by doctors as part of her cancer treatment.
The death was confirmed on Saturday by media personality #AUNTYMUSE_, who supported her throughout her medical journey.
Reacting to a post announcing AuntieEsther’s death by an X user, Tabuko, tweeting as swaggsphotos, who wrote, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther. Very Sad!”, #AUNTYMUSE_ responded, “May her soul rest in peace 🙏🙏.”
AuntieEsther had attracted nationwide attention after publicly declining a blood transfusion advised by doctors, citing her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness. The decision sparked widespread debate across social media and beyond.
ALSO READ:Nigerian woman battling cancer refuses blood transfusion, cites religious beliefs
Her case drew further public interest after Nigerians donated more than ₦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 aimed at boosting her blood count without transfusion.
She also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support, saying, “I appreciate everybody. Thank you #Wizarab10 and #the_beardsina. God bless.”
The controversy later intensified 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 presented two options: a transfusion-supported treatment that was within the donated funds, or a more expensive and prolonged alternative that avoided blood transfusion. He said AuntieEsther 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, suggesting 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 clearly stated from the beginning, even before the fundraising started. She added that doctors had agreed that the non-transfusion treatment could still be effective.
The situation triggered intense reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning whether donated funds should be redirected to other patients when life-saving medical advice was declined.