Jehovah Witness Cancer Patient, AuntieEsther Who Rejected Blood Transfusion, Dies

Mensha Omotola Esther, the grocery shopper popular known as Aunty Esther, has died a few weeks after rejecting blood transfusion as part of her breast cancer treatment.

The shopper’s demise was announced on X by her caregiver identified as Aunty Muse.

“May her soul rest in peace,” she wrote.

Aunty Esther rose to prominence in March 2023 after videos of her running her grocery shopping business went viral on X.

She earned widespread admiration for her resilience and cheerful disposition.

Her story, however, took a sad turn when she disclosed that she had been diagnosed with cancer in her breast and armpit.

The revelation drew massive public sympathy, with Nigerians reportedly donating over N30 million to support her treatment.

Esther was subsequently taken to the Lakeshore Cancer Centre in Lagos.

On December 5, she sparked public debate after announcing that she would not commence chemotherapy due to her religious belief as a Jehovah Witness adherent.

Although her doctors were said to have advised that her chemotherapy must commence immediately, it was reported that declined the blood transfusion required to optimise her blood count before treatment.

Chemo, medical research shows, can reduce red blood cell levels, necessitating a blood transfusion to treat the accompanying anemia and maintain adequate oxygen delivery in the body.

Esther’s death has since reignited public debate around faith-based medical decisions and what some have described as religious “extremism.”

Some of her social media audiences argued she may have died regardless due to how advanced her cancer had become.

Others attributed her death to the refusal of medical interventions on religious grounds.

“Aunty Esther has passed on. Now the JW can rest. They take solace in the fact that since she resisted the temptation to take blood, she is assured of life eternal and bliss in heaven. What is the difference between this belief/attitude and the 72 virgins narrative? Go well, Aunty Esther. I wish you better recognition along your new path,” a user wrote.

Another user wrote: “Cancer is what killed her, cos even if she had done the transfusions, she could have still died. Nobody wants to die, I’m sure she did her best to survive. May God comfort the family she left behind.”