Jehovah’s Witness cancer patient under fire for rejecting chemotherapy despite ‘N30m donations’

An X user identified as Aunty Esther has faced criticismafter announcing that she would not begin chemotherapy due to her religiousbeliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness. On November 24, the businesswoman took to X, expressing fearover her deteriorating health. “I’m scared. All I want is to live, I don’t want to die.Please believe me when I say something is wrong. My breast is swollen and Idesperately need help,” she wrote.You are a wicked woman pic.twitter.com/KKjq4uosnh— Venzypfc (@venzyDgreat) December 5, 2025 Her post quickly gained attention and sympathy online, withNigerians reportedly donating over ₦30 million to support her cancer treatment. Aunty Esther wanted soup as swallow is her go-to food. That is the bill for the soup. The soup plus delivery cost N74k. Balance brought forward, this 1st day of December, 2025 N30,776,252...Thank you for your kindness 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Q5X5d7s9Ok— Sir Dickson (@Wizarab10) December 1, 2025 But in another post on Thursday, Esther revealed that cancerwas found in her breast and armpit, noting that her internal organs remainedstable. According to her, doctors recommended an immediate start ofchemotherapy, but she declined blood transfusion required to optimise her bloodcount before treatment. “I say make I tell una, my result don come out. I thank allof you for your money contributions,” she wrote. “Doc tell @auntymuse_, myself and my husband the results.Nah my breast and armpit the cancer dey. My organs inside fine fine. “Doc say she want to start chemotherapy but I go take theinjection. I respect everyone opinion but I and my family choose the Injectionand food dat go boost my blood. “Doc accept my decision, and she say she go follow me butnah small small e go reach when I go start the chemo. I will be on treatment toboost the blood count and chemo will start.” 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. I appreciate everybody Thank you @Wizard10 and @the_beardedsina.I am getting better God bless— Auntieesther pepper girl 🍅 🌶market shopper (@MensahOmolola) December 4, 2025 Esther had reportedly received over N4 million donations inJune but opted for treatment outside recommended medical facilities to avoidblood-related procedures. Jehovah’s Witness doctrine prohibits the use of bloodtransfusions, including whole blood and major blood components. Her decision has triggered backlash from many Nigerians onX, with some donors asking for refunds and accusing her of misleading the publicabout being ready for full medical care. Critics argued that her refusal contradicted her earlierclaim that she would follow medical recommendations once funds were raised. While others expressed sympathy, saying she has the right touphold her faith. “I think you should go to your church to contribute for you.Because I don’t think people will contribute again,” a user wrote. Another user wrote: “Religion is really affecting a lot ofNigerians, honestly. Because of your church beliefs, you chose an alternativetreatment. After all the rigmarole, we still ended up here. It’s okay, hope itworks for you.” See more reactions below. What’s happening with Aunty Esther isn’t new.Jehovah’s Witnesses have refused blood transfusion for decades, and sadly many lives have been lost in emergencies because of it.Their stand comes from a biblical instruction to abstain from blood, and whether we agree or not, it’s... pic.twitter.com/5U1KzCO5SB— PreciousPaa (@Preciouspaa) December 5, 2025 Nothing disgusts me more than, watching the motion of an ingrate. There's nothing special about Aunty Esther.Strangers who owe you nothing, pooled together resources to keep you alive but look at you choosing death through religion. Same religion that can't heal you.— 👑S.A.L.A.K.O🕊 (@UnkleAyo) December 5, 2025 Aunty Esther does not want Blood transfusion because she’s a Jehovah Witness, but she’s permitted to lie and deceive people abi? Issokay!— Duke of Africa (@Allezamani) December 5, 2025 That contributed figure is the issue, none of Aunty Esther’s religious people have ever seen that amount of money. The moment they hear 30m, things will go south. The end game is for them to control the money. Please keep it; it help someone else medically. https://t.co/PzZzcCOsao— Mr Bayo (@mrbayoa1) December 5, 2025 There is a thin line between religious beliefs and pure madness. This Aunty Esther’s case is nothing but pure madness.— LERRY (@_AsiwajuLerry) December 5, 2025

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