A former member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, identified on X as Mrs. Zanga, has opened up about the painful losses her family has suffered due to the denomination’s long-standing refusal to accept blood transfusions.
In a series of posts, she recounted how several close relatives, including a child, lost their lives after being denied life-saving blood transfusions in adherence to the church’s doctrines.
According to her, she was born into the faith but has since left, while her parents and siblings remain active members.
How she lost her son
She revealed that her second son, an eight-year-old sickle cell patient, died because her parents declined a blood transfusion on his behalf, describing his passing as “upholding his beliefs.” She added that her mother’s sister also died during childbirth for the same reason, as did her cousin during a major surgery.
Mrs. Zanga stated that members are conditioned to view such deaths as acts of faith, often comforted with assurances that the deceased will be resurrected or rewarded for their devotion.
Aunty Esther’s case
Her statement comes amid renewed public debate following the case of Aunty Esther, a cancer patient who reportedly declined a recommended transfusion due to her Jehovah’s Witness beliefs.
Mrs. Zanga stressed that outcomes in such cases are typically interpreted through the lens of doctrine, if patients survive, it is seen as divine intervention, and if they do not, their refusal is considered an honourable stand for their faith.
Her words …
“I was born a Jehovah’s Witness. (No longer is) but my parents and siblings still are.
Our second son died because my parents refused him blood transfusion. (He was a sickle cell patient) and they’re hoping to see him again in “paradise” because he died “upholding his beliefs” (an 8yo boy oo)
My mom’s sister died during childbirth because she needed blood transfusion but was also “upholding her beliefs”
My cousin died during a major surgery that needed blood transfusions because she’s “upholding her belief” of NO BLOOD TRANSFUSION.
So nothing happens in cases like Aunty Esther’s. If she pull through, glory be to Jehovah, but if she doesn’t, she died “upholding her beliefs” and she “sure has resurrection hope”.”
See post below …
