Jehovah’s Witness Aunty Esther Dies of Cancer After Refusing Blood Donation
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Popular personal shopper on X (formerly Twitter), widely known as Aunty Esther, has passed away following a battle with cancer, sparking widespread reactions across social media.
The news of her death was confirmed late on Monday night by one of her caregivers, who shared an update on X announcing her passing. The announcement came weeks after Aunty Esther revealed that medical tests had confirmed cancer in her breast and armpit, a disclosure that drew massive public sympathy and financial support for her treatment.
Aunty Esther had earlier thanked her followers for donating toward her medical care, describing the overwhelming support as “humbling” and reassuring during a difficult period.
Her condition, however, became a subject of intense online discussion after reports emerged that she declined a blood transfusion recommended by her doctors ahead of chemotherapy.
One of the donation coordinators, Sir Dickson, later announced that he and another medical volunteer had withdrawn from managing her case.
According to him, doctors had advised that a blood transfusion was necessary before chemotherapy could commence, but Aunty Esther reportedly declined the procedure due to her Jehovah’s Witness faith.
“Doctors said she needed a blood transfusion before chemotherapy could begin, but she refused,” Dickson stated.
He further alleged that members of her church warned she could be disfellowshipped if she accepted blood, while some family members reportedly insisted that “whatever happens is God’s will.”
The development generated heated debate online, with many users expressing concern over the intersection of faith, medical ethics, and life-saving treatment, while others urged respect for personal religious convictions.
In a final update shared on X, one of her caregivers announced simply that Aunty Esther had passed on, prompting an outpouring of tributes from followers, clients, and fellow entrepreneurs who described her as kind, hardworking, and deeply committed to her business.
