Tears, Truth and a Race Against Time: Two Nigerian Mothers Battle Breast Cancer as Urgent Calls for Help Spark Outrage
By Passman Akpos
A heartbreaking appeal for urgent medical support has gripped Nigerians online, as the real-life struggle of a breast cancer patient, Hellen Abosede, comes to light—exposing not only the devastating realities of the disease but also sparking controversy over alleged misinformation by social media personality Blessing Okoro.
Hellen Abosede, a mother and small business owner, has been battling aggressive breast cancer for some time. Her journey has been marked by pain, resilience, and critical medical interventions. After discovering a lump in one breast, doctors recommended a preventive mastectomy on the other due to the high risk of cancer spreading. That decision proved life-saving—cancer cells were also found in the second breast.
Despite undergoing chemotherapy, bilateral surgery, and 33 sessions of radiotherapy, Hellen’s battle is far from over. She is currently on immunotherapy, including cytotoxic and hormonal treatments. Complicating her recovery is lymphoedema—a chronic condition affecting her arm following the removal of lymph nodes, leaving it swollen and significantly impaired.
Medical experts say her condition now requires urgent diagnostic procedures, including a PET scan costing over ₦1.2 million, alongside additional tests estimated at ₦300,000. In total, more than ₦1.5 million is urgently needed to continue her treatment.
Supporters have taken to social media to call out what they describe as “false narratives” surrounding cancer cases, accusing Blessing CEO of misleading the public. While the controversy grows, advocates insist the focus must remain on saving lives like Hellen’s.
“This is not content. This is someone’s life,” one supporter wrote. “Hellen is real. Her pain is real. And she needs help now.”
In a parallel case that has further shaken public conscience, another Nigerian woman—a mother of four—is also fighting aggressive breast cancer under tragic circumstances. Still hospitalized, she reportedly lost her husband in a fatal motorcycle accident, leaving her to battle the illness alone while raising her children.
A fundraising campaign has been launched to raise ₦15 million for her urgent treatment. She is said to be available for physical verification, with contact lines provided for those willing to confirm her situation or offer support.
As the stories spread, many Nigerians are being urged to act—through donations, sharing information, or simply amplifying the voices of those in need.
How to Help Hellen Abosede:
Account Name: Ojo Abosede Hellen
Bank: Fidelity BankAccount Number: 6320323983
Support for the Second Patient:
Account Name: Esho Sunday
Bank: First Bank
Account Number: 2020929136
In a country where access to healthcare remains a major challenge, these cases highlight the urgent need for compassion, awareness, and collective action.
For Hellen and others like her, every second—and every naira—counts.
