Aunty Esther, the cancer patient whose medical appeal went viral and attracted over N30 million in donations, has declined a blood transfusion recommended by doctors, citing her religious beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Dockaysworld observed that the development has triggered a major fallout among the volunteers who coordinated her fundraising and hospital care.
In updates shared on social media, one of the lead fundraisers, @wizrab10, announced that despite medical advice, Aunty Esther chose alternatives to blood transfusion.
Doctors reportedly informed the team that her blood level must be stabilised before chemotherapy can begin.
He stated that while her faith permits her to refuse blood, the alternative treatments would take longer and cost more.
He added that all funds would be directed toward her ongoing medical care.
However, he later disclosed that he and fellow volunteer Dr. Sina had decided to step back from the case.
According to him, the patient’s family and members of her church insisted she must not accept blood and warned she could be disfellowshipped if she did.
He said repeated efforts to explain the medical consequences were rejected.
He also praised another volunteer, @AUNTYMUSE_, for being physically present at the hospital daily and acting as the liaison between the team and the medical staff.
He noted that despite her efforts, she faced hostility from the patient and her family.
He added that he was unsure how the remaining funds should be handled and would likely hand them over to the family or church.
In a separate thread, @auntymuse_ confirmed the account, saying the medical team had stressed the urgency of boosting Aunty Esther’s blood level.
She said the patient and her husband opted for injections instead, in line with Jehovah’s Witness doctrine.
She explained that chemotherapy could not begin until the blood count reached the required level and that she relayed all instructions to both the hospital and the family.
She also described the strain of the past weeks which included sleeping at the hospital, managing communication, and ensuring transparency about expenses while dealing with personal health issues.
According to her, the situation became overwhelming after the patient asked her to conceal medical information from the team.
She said she refused and insisted on transparency since public donations were involved.
She added that she had never collected money from anyone and that if any compensation was offered for her efforts, it should be redirected to another cancer patient in need.
The matter had led to broad conversations on the religion, medical care and the limitations of doctrine.
