A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X as AuntieEsther, has died, weeks after her health struggle sparked a nationwide debate over her refusal of blood transfusion on religious grounds.
Her death was confirmed on Saturday by media personality AUNTYMUSE_, who supported her throughout her treatment journey.
Reacting to a post announcing her death by an X user, Tabuko, tweeting as swaggsphotos, who wrote, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther. Very sad!”, AUNTYMUSE_ replied, “May her soul rest in peace 🙏🙏.”
AuntieEsther became a major topic of public discussion after she openly rejected a blood transfusion recommended by doctors as part of her cancer treatment, citing her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Her case attracted widespread sympathy, with Nigerians donating over ₦30 million to support her medical care. The fundraising was coordinated by charity advocate, Wisdom Obi-Dickson, popularly known as Wizarab10.
In an update shared on December 1, 2025, Obi-Dickson announced that a total of ₦30.7 million had been raised for her treatment.
Before her death, AuntieEsther had shared medical updates on X, explaining that tests showed the cancer was limited to her breast and armpit areas.
“My organs inside fine. Doc say she want to start chemotherapy but I go take injection,” she wrote, adding that doctors advised improving her blood level before starting chemotherapy.
She said she and her family had chosen treatment options that would raise her blood count without transfusion. She also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support.
“I appreciate everybody. Thank you Wizarab10 and the_beardsina. God bless,” she wrote.
However, the situation later became controversial after Obi-Dickson revealed that AuntieEsther’s church had warned her against accepting blood transfusion, with possible disciplinary measures, including disfellowship.
According to him, doctors presented two options: one that involved blood transfusion and was affordable within the donated funds, and another that avoided transfusion but would cost more and take longer.
“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, stating that despite repeated medical advice, AuntieEsther, her family and church leaders insisted on rejecting blood transfusion under any condition. He suggested that their firm position meant they should bear responsibility for the outcome.
Meanwhile, AUNTYMUSE_ clarified that AuntieEsther’s refusal of blood transfusion was made clear from the start, even before the fundraising began.
She said doctors had agreed that treatment without blood transfusion was still medically possible.
The case triggered intense reactions on social media, with some Nigerians arguing that donated funds should be redirected to other patients if life-saving medical advice was being rejected, while others insisted her religious beliefs should be respected.
