Breast cancer survivor Deborah Mbara has denied any involvement in a viral fundraising campaign allegedly linked to her medical records, amid controversy surrounding social media influencer Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO.
Mbara accused the influencer of using her diagnosis report without permission to solicit donations from the public. In an emotional Instagram post, she said she was shocked to discover her personal medical information being shared in a fundraising narrative she had not approved.
She revealed that she initially engaged with Blessing CEO after publicly announcing her stage four breast cancer, offering prayers and encouragement. “I started talking to her, encouraging her and praying with her. I told her God can heal and that she should seek proper medical attention,” Mbara said.
A doctor was later invited to an online discussion to provide clarification on her condition, but the session ended abruptly when the physician stated a proper assessment could not be made remotely. Tensions escalated when Mbara claimed that Blessing CEO requested access to her personal cancer documents under the pretext of comparing them with her own diagnosis. “She told me she wanted to compare my report with what she had. So I shared it in good faith, not knowing what it would be used for,” she said.
Mbara said she was later shocked to see her report posted online in an allegedly altered form, tied to donation appeals that had already gained traction on social media. “Only for me to see my result online, doctored and being used everywhere. I never gave permission for anything like that,” she noted.
Having recently completed chemotherapy, Mbara described the incident as deeply traumatic, stressing that cancer patients already face immense emotional challenges. “When a doctor tells you that you have cancer, life pauses. It is not something you take lightly. It breaks you completely,” she said.
She also dismissed claims that she had cut ties with Blessing CEO, revealing that the influencer later visited Asaba to meet her husband and friends in an effort to manage the situation. “She came to Asaba to see my husband and some friends. I was not there because I was not emotionally strong at the time,” Mbara explained.
