Have you ever regretted offering help to someone in need?

Around March 2026, Blessing Okoro (popularly known as Blessing CEO) posted a very emotional video on Instagram. She was crying, showing signs of her hair loss, and claimed she had been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast Cancer. She even started auctioning her properties and soliciting funds for treatment.

To prove her story, she shared a histology report online. But sharped-eyed citizens and some medical experts noticed some ‘red flags’ on the document posted. First, it turned out that the report actually belonged to a different patient named Deborah Mbara, a real cancer survivor. Secondly, the clinic (Xinus Medical Diagnostics) as shown on the report and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State chapter, came out to disown the document. They confirmed that the document was originally issued to Deborah in May 2025, and that Blessing’s version was altered- changing the name, date and location from Asaba to Enugu.

After the NMA and the original patient exposed her, Blessing CEO changed her tune. She later stated in an interview; I do not have stage 4 cancer. That was a miscommunication. She admitted she raised about #13million from the donations but bragged that ‘controversy is her brand’ and she does not owe anyone an apology. Currently, the case is with the police as Very Dark Man filed a formal petition. Nevertheless, EFCC said they cannot move yet until the victims (those who actually donated money) file a formal petition with their receipt. Following this, Blessing CEO and her partner deactivated their Instagram accounts amidst the heavy dragging.

Back to the question: ‘Have you ever regretted offering help to someone in need?’ becomes crucial and at the same time evokes a feeling of rage. The struggle becomes how best to live out the gospel of charity in a world filled with lies or fake stories. Or should we rather become insensitive to peoples’ plight with the fear of being deceived. Ultimately, the poison from this saga is a scandal, because, the gravity of such deception is not just the financial theft of #13million. By faking a terminal illness, the perpetuator sours the milk for those who are actually suffering from stage 4 cancer, making it harder for genuine victims to receive the life-saving help they need.

The ‘Blessing CEO saga’ leaves us with moral significance, which the Church as Mother and Teacher does not cease to remind her children. 

Pope Francis teaches us that charity, when accompanied by a commitment to the truth is more than a feeling and is protected from being reduced to ‘subjective emotions and opinions.’ He equally added that charity needs the light of the truth, and this light includes the light of reason and of faith (FT 184-185). This might seem hard, but it is more fulfilling to discern properly before any act of charity than to ground charitable efforts into what is unreal. This is because, Christian tradition does not call for ‘blind’ giving but prudence even while carrying out charitable act, lest our love fuel or support wrong doings (fraud, coercion, injustice etc) unintentionally. Generosity is misinterpreted when it is seen as an emotional reflex, rather than a prayerful, discerned act.

Experiences and researches have shown that social media is not real life. There are thousands of people in hospitals nearby or within your vicinity who are diagnosed with terminal illness needing support, but are not recognized because of social media deceit. But, if due to convenience, one still decides to indulge in ‘internet frenzy,’ there are online verified foundations and organizations who seek support to reach out to those who are battling with terminal illnesses no matter their locality. Supporting these online institutions is more appropriate than falling into the hands of ‘fake stories.’

Furthermore, the Church has a society saddled with the responsibility of helping and reaching out to those in precarious situations i.e. St Vincent the Paul. This society requires support to reach out to those in need.

Lastly, for many of us that have fallen into the hands of deceit and our trust have been betrayed; those that regret the help rendered and are at the stage of closing eyes and ears to peoples’ plight, please, do not grow weary in doing good (Gal 6:9) nor be hardened by the shadows of deceit. To stop giving is to let the deceiver win twice: first, by taking our money, and second, by stealing our capacity for compassion. Going forward, we must not be overcome by cynicism, but continue to channel our generosity through the light of prudence.