My Faith, My Choice: Auntie Esther’s Transfusion Refusal Sparks Nationwide Fury After Millions Donated

The internet is currently embroiled in a heated debate over the intersection of faith, medicine, and public goodwill following a shocking update on the health of viral sensation, Auntie Esther. Known affectionately on X (formerly Twitter) as the "Pepper Girl" or @MensahOmolola, Esther captured the hearts of the nation with her hustle as a personal shopper, leading to a massive crowdfunding campaign when news broke of her failing health.

However, the narrative has shifted from collective support to deep division after it was revealed that she has rejected a critical blood transfusion necessary for her cancer treatment, citing her beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness.

 For days, thousands of Nigerians had donated millions of Naira to help a woman they saw as hardworking and deserving. Now, many of those same supporters are struggling with the fact that their money is going toward a treatment plan that is unusual, slower, and far more expensive because of her religious beliefs.

The update came via a series of candid tweets from both Esther and the coordinator of the fundraising efforts, popular influencer Sir Dickson (@Wizarab10). On Thursday, December 4, Sir Dickson broke the silence regarding the specific nature of her illness and the hurdles the medical team is facing.

"The latest update is that she is responding to care," Sir Dickson wrote on X, attempting to quell rising anxiety. "Her blood levels are being optimized for the next phase of care."

 However, he then dropped the bombshell that has since dominated discourse: "She was offered the option of blood transfusion before she can begin chemo, but she declined due to her faith. She is a Jehovah's Witness and thus, opting for other alternatives."

Sir Dickson admitted the implications of this choice were significant, noting, "Though it will take longer and cost more, we have to respect her religious belief."

Moments later, Auntie Esther herself took to her handle to confirm the diagnosis with the blunt, unfiltered honesty that made her famous. "Doc tell @auntymuse_, myself and my husband the results. Nah my breast and armpit the cancer dey," she tweeted, confirming the malignancy had spread.

Addressing the transfusion controversy directly, she stood firm. "Doc say she want to start chemotherapy but I go take the injection. I respect everyone opinion but I and my family choose the Injection and food dat go boost my blood."

She told her followers that the doctors had agreed to her decision, even though they weren’t thrilled about it, adding, “Doc accept my decision… nah small small e go reach when I go start the chemo.”

The reaction on X has been explosive, with the topic trending across social media. Opinions are sharply divided. On one side are pragmatists and medical experts who say refusing a transfusion during cancer treatment, where every minute matters, is a risky choice. 

Others are furious, even suggesting there may have been ulterior motives, because despite reportedly raising about ₦30 million for her care, they believe donations were collected without clearly disclosing her faith or the medical limits it would impose.

Conversely, a wave of supporters has risen to defend her fundamental human right to choose her medical treatment. 

Others have praised Sir Dickson for his transparency and respectful handling of a delicate situation.

His assurance that "All funds will be channelled towards her medical bills and hospital care" has calmed some nerves, though the anxiety over Auntie Esther’s prognosis remains intense.

Another curious part of the entire issue is Aunty Esther’s willingness to openly solicit public donations directly and even through proven channels like Sir Wizarab, while knowing fully well that she was unwilling to take public advice on standard healthcare practices.

Perhaps, it’s worth questioning whether it’s right for her to have found usefulness in public fund while at the same time choosing her religious believe over logical public admonition.

One cannot disregard the argument that the donations means Aunty Esther owes the public some accountability in how the money is meant. Her actions appears to be a betrayal of the good faith shown by the donating public who now have to watch their resources being channeled to a secondary treatment option because the recipient of their charity choose faith over reason.

We have to ask if she can legitimately return to the public to solicit for donations after this episode. And would the public be wrong to say no?

Auntie Esther’s situation has unexpectedly pushed the idea of “bloodless medicine” into the Nigerian spotlight. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept whole blood transfusions based on their interpretation of scripture, so doctors often turn to alternatives like erythropoietin (EPO) injections and iron therapy to help the body produce more red blood cells. But as Sir Dickson pointed out, these options take time, something cancer patients with aggressive disease often don’t have.

Her case also raises a tough question about the ethics of crowdfunding medical care. When the public pays the bills, how much say do donors have in a patient’s treatment? Many Nigerians on social media seem to think they deserve a voice, especially given fears that the money, raised through great personal sacrifice in a difficult economy, could be used up on slower, more expensive alternatives even before chemotherapy begins.

In the end, it becomes a clash between the speed of modern medicine and the strength of personal faith, with a woman’s life hanging in the balance.